Woolbridge Heath

Ownership: Defence Estates

Designation: SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar

Restrictions: No public access

Emergency Access: King George V Rd

Grid ref: SY 82639 90406

The Reserve

Woolsbridge Heath is a large reserve totalling 39.5 hectares. Located within the Bovington tank training area, access is strictly prohibited. The habitat of the area ranges from dry heath to humid heath with areas of acid bog. Scots pine woodland is located around the edges of the reserve. All six native species of reptile are located on the reserve, with the smooth snake in particular relishing the extensive areas of wet and humid heath.

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)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)

Hobby (Falco subbutteo)

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

Latest

MP to open HWM2020 conference

This year’s Herpetofauna Worker’s Meeting promises to be extra special. The meeting will be opened by the Rt Hon Damien Moore MP, the parliamentary Natterjack toad champion and will be linking up with Gems in the Dunes, ARC’s ground-breaking project to conserve threatened species on the Sefton Coast. Gems in the Dunes is part of the national Back from the Brink programme, a multi-partner project that works at a landscape scale across a range of threatened species.
Introduction to UK native reptiles

This introductory course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to undertake Reptile surveys and is aimed at those working in consultancy or conservation.
Introduction to UK native amphibians

This introductory course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to undertake amphibian surveys and is aimed at those working in consultancy or conservation.
Volunteering with ARC in Dorset

Take a look for our habitat management volunteer tasks on our Dorset 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 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.

Report your sightings!

Let us know which amphibians and reptiles you've seen Read more