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

Pool frog recovery team hops to it

ARC's Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager, John Baker gives an update on what the team have been up to over the last few months
Historic reintroduction reverses extinction of England’s rarest frog

The northern pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian, has been successfully reintroduced to Thompson Common, in Norfolk – reversing its disappearance from there in the 1990s.
Gems in the Dunes - Leaving a legacy

As the project comes to a close ARC's Gems in the Dune Project Manager, Fiona Sunners reflects on four successful years saving species on the Sefton Coast
Beware of warning signs

As we enter the summer holiday season, when encounters with snakes tend to peak, our Conservation Director Jim Foster comments on adder warning signs and highlights new guidance from ARC

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.