South West Hyde

Size: 14 hectares

Ownership:
Forest Enterprise

Designation: SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar

Restrictions: Open Access Land please keep dogs on a lead and keep to main
paths. Horse riding and cycling is only permitted on statutory bridleways. No camping or fires of any kind.

Access: Sugar Hill, Wareham Forest.

Grid ref: SY 87832 91043

South West Hyde’s dry heath and sandy soils make it perfect for a thriving sand lizard population.

The Reserve

South West Hyde benefits from dry heath restoration from pine plantation in the area of Wareham forest. Newly extended to the west the reserves habitat changes to more humid heath and scrub.
In 2020 a management agreement with Forest Enterprise was extended to the
north into Hyde Bog securing another 16 hectares of valuable heathland habitat
for conservation.

What to see:

The reserve as a whole is home to all six native species of reptile. These include the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) and Adder (Vipera berus).

The reserve’s dry sandy soils and ridge and furrow micro- topography make this reserve perfect for a large population of sand lizards.

Migrant birds such as the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata), Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) and Hobby (Falco subbutteo) can also be seen.

Latest

ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2021

This year's ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting will be held virtually once again on Saturday 4th December 2021
SitH Group Reptile Survey Registration Form - Wilverley Plain
SitH Group Reptile Survey Registration Form - Holmsley Walk
Volunteering with ARC in Dorset

Take a look for our habitat management volunteer tasks on our Dorset reserves, every Wednesday running 10-3 come and help us out with managing our nature reserves.

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.