South West Hyde

Ownership: Forest Enterprise

Designation: SSSI, SAC, SPA,Ramsar

Restrictions: Open Access Land please keep dogs on a lead

Access: Sugar Hill

Gred ref: SY 87832 91043

The Reserve

South West Hyde is 14 hectares of dry heath restoration from pine plantation. The reserves dry sandy soils and ridge - and - furrow micro- topography make this reserve perfect for a large population of sand lizards. Newly extended to the west the reserves habitat changes to more humid heath and scrub. The reserve as a whole is home to all six native species of reptile.

Species you might spot:

Reptiles.

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

Adder (Vipera berus)

Birds.

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Hobby (Falco subbutteo)

This is by no means a comprehensive list of species on the reserve.

Latest

Where have all the grass snakes gone, or have I got worse at finding them?

ARC Trustee Howard Inns reflects on a recent discussion about a reduction in his grass snake encounters and what might affect their abundance.
Reptile Genebank request for slough donations

If you find a snake or lizard (including slow-worm) slough anywhere in the UK please donate it to the Reptile Genebank
New educational videos for children coming soon!

ARC's Snakes in the Heather Education Officer, Owain Masters, tells us about a new video series teaching primary school age children about reptiles.
Adder art competition winners announced!

Pupils at several schools in Scotland created amazing artwork featuring adders as part of our 'adder art' competition

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 introduced 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.