Mapperton Ponds

Size : 1.09 Hectares

Ownership: Drax Estate

Restrictions: Private no access

The Reserve

Mapperton Pond is located in rural farmland surroundings in Sturminster Marshall. The main feature of the reserve is the large pond located in its southern corner.

What to see

Within the pond smooth, and great crested newts can be found. Surrounding vegetation of the reserve mainly consists of grass land species with a hawthorn and elderberry hedge surrounding the site which makes for an excellent area for the newts to hibernate.

Latest

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ARC’s Education Officer for Saving Scotland’s Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAAR), Janet Ullman tell us about the projects busy summer with pond dipping, an Adder Week and Open Day
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ARC welcomes new guidance on the selection of protected sites for amphibians and reptiles published by JNCC.
Northern Pool Frog Recovery

This is a long-term project to restore England’s rarest amphibian, the northern pool frog

Blackheath

As well as being an important site for reptiles, several heathland specialist invertebrate species are found on the site.
Broxhead Common

A rich mosaic of heathland, acid grassland and secondary woodland, which supports sand lizards, rare heathland birds, and nationally rare invertebrate species.
Canford Cliffs

Canford Cliffs a small reserve in a stunning coastal location, with the wall lizard being a very prominent species.
Chatley Heath

Nestled within the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, Chatley Heath is an internationally important area for birds, and provides a haven for our native reptiles, which can also now expand into the newly restored adjacent heathland at Ockham Common.
Churt Valley and Plateau

Part of a landscape network of connected sites managed by organisations including Waverley Council and the National Trust this site supports all six native reptile species after successful reintroductions of sand lizards and smooth snakes.
Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill, located within the Bovington tank training area has now become the ideal environment for sand lizard breeding.
Corfe Bluff

Corfe Bluff is a small piece of heath hidden away in the beautiful surroundings of the Purbecks.
Corfe Hills East

Corfe Hills East is a small block of heath located to the north Poole with a mix of dry heath and Molinia grassland.
Cranes Moor Bog

Cranes Moor Bog is a medium sized site, unique amongst ARC’s reserves.
Creech Heath

An excellent large piece of heath located in a stunning surrounding over looked by the Purbeck Ridge. A great place to visit to find some truly rare heathland species.