The heathland, mixed woodland and grassland that make up the park are home to around:
- 52 species of bird
- all 6 native reptiles
- 35 butterfly species
- 24 dragonfly species
- 454 wildflower species including the rare Deptford Pink and Small Adder’s Tongue Fern
There are also at least 86 nationally scarce invertebrate species at Avon Heath, including the:
- Heath grasshopper
- Mottled Bee-fly
- Bog Bush-cricket
What to see each season at the heath
Some of our star species
Nightjar
A master of camouflage, nightjars are difficult to spot. They need to be as they nest on the ground amongst the Heather, hiding from predators. Largely nocturnal, these moth-eating birds spend their summers here and their winters in Africa. After dark, listen out for their distinctive churring call.
Dartford warbler
This small, distinctive bird is one of the UK’s most successful conservation stories. In the 1960s, their population crashed to only 10 breeding pairs. Thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have increased to around 3,200 pairs. Still rare, Dartford warblers are only found in areas of open heathland. You can spot them singing from the tops of gorse bushes. They do not migrate in the winter, instead staying in the UK throughout the year.
Sand lizard
These extremely rare reptiles are only found in heathland in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey. Working closely with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Avon Heath is home to an important breeding programme helping to re-establish populations under threat or where they have been lost. They need areas of unshaded dry heath with patches of bare sand to breed and feed. During the breeding season, the males turn a vibrant green colour.
Smooth snake
Britain’s rarest snake, the smooth snake is only found on sandy heaths in southern England. Over 95% of them are thought to live on heaths in southeast Dorset. They are non-venomous, but are constrictors, coiling around their prey to kill it. They hunt sand lizards, slow-worms and nestlings.
Heath grasshopper
An extremely rare grasshopper species only found in very dry areas of heathland in Dorset and The New Forest, making it one of the rarest insects in Britain. A yellow-ish brown colour with a red tip on the abdomen.
Silver-studded Blue butterfly
Restricted to heathlands in southern England, these rare butterflies get their name from the blue studs on the underside of their wings. Their caterpillars have a fascinating mutualistic relationship with ants. The caterpillars produce a sugary substance which the ants feed on, and in return, the ants protect the caterpillars from predators and parasites.
Deptford Pink
This beautiful, delicate flower is another very rare species, found in only around 15 sites in the UK. It needs dry, sparse grassland on acidic soil without shade. Its bright pink petals with pale spots are eye catching and come into flower in the summer.
Adders-tongue fern
Thought to resemble a snake’s tongue, this fern is an ancient meadow indicator species found mainly in southern England. It is slow growing and requires very specific conditions such as low nutrient levels. Because of its ancient lineage, it is often referred to as a ‘living fossil’. A long spike with the fern’s sporangia protrudes from the centre of a singular frond.