Sopley Common
An internationally important heathland with dry and wet heath, bog pools and woodland supporting many rare and threatened wildlife
Search
Search
60 bags of rubbish dumped and set alight at Powerstock Common Nature Reserve
In the most significant act of fly-tipping on Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves this year, 60 bags of rubbish were dumped and then set alight at Powerstock Common nature reserve in West Dorset…
Sponsor a nature reserve
Sponsoring a nature reserve is an opportunity for your organisation to demonstrate your commitment to nature’s recovery in Dorset. And with 42 reserves across Dorset, you can choose a site close to you and your staff, to encourage employee wellbeing and engagement in nature.
Reserve safety and visitor information
A few top tips to bear in mind when you visit our nature reserves
Kingcombe Meadows & Powerstock Common designated as England’s newest National Nature Reserve
More than 30 years after a national campaign to save ‘the farm that time forgot’, Kingcombe Meadows has been recognised as a gold-standard haven for wildlife, as it is declared England’s newest…
Fire destroys building with bat roost on Nature Reserve
A fire has destroyed an historic railway hut on Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT’s) Powerstock Common nature reserve, near Maiden Newton in west Dorset. Arson is strongly suspected.
Common cotton-grass
The fluffy, white heads of common cotton-grass dot our brown, boggy moors and heaths as if a giant bag of cotton wool balls has been thrown across the landscape!
Common skate
Despite its name, the "common" skate is not so common anymore. In fact, they are Critically Endangered.
Common seal
The smaller of our two UK seal species, common seals are also known as harbour seals. Despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals!
Common juniper
A sprawling, spiny evergreen, Common juniper is famous for its traditional role in gin-making. Once common on downland, moorland and coastal heathland, it is now much rarer due to habitat loss.…
Common sorrel
Common sorrel is a common plant of grasslands, woodland edges, roadside verges and gardens. It is also known as 'sour ducks' because its leaves taste tart.
Common gull
Despite its name, the common gull is not as common as some of our other gulls. It can be spotted breeding at the coast, but is also partial to sports fields, landfill sites and housing estates in…