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

Looking back on a job well done

ARC's Connecting the Dragons Project Officer, Pete Hill looks back on the successful creation of a species rich south-facing ride and windrow at a conifer plantation near Bridgend, South Wales.
Alien species of amphibian and reptile in the UK - Talk and Q&A

Pete will discuss what alien species are found in the UK, how they got here, what issues they can cause, how you can help stop the spread of aliens species and more. Go to Facebook Go to YouTube
Guest blog - ARC Friends’ Day 2020

British Wildlife’s Assistant Editor Catherine Mitson shares with us some of her highlights from ARC Friends' Day 2020.
Training - natterjack toad 02.10

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.