The area of lowland heath near Wareham in Dorset forms part of an internationally recognised site of nature conservation importance, the Dorset Heathlands. This complex of habitats, underlain by important sand and gravel deposits has been quarried for decades. The result is a mosaic of early successional heathland and acid grassland habitats across Masters Quarry. These habitats support nationally important populations of the rare sand lizard Lacerta agilis, as well as the 6 native species of reptile found in the UK, and are rich in biodiversity.

Sand lizards are often limited on heathland due to the absence or scarcity of suitable sand for egg-laying and this is of significance as designated heathland sites have become less favourable due to encroachment of scrub and lack of management.

Continued planned extraction at Masters must proceed in conjunction with a programme of translocation of protected reptiles to receptor sites. The project will investigate the current extent of habitat with the potential to support sand lizards at Masters and focus on the creation, restoration and enhancement of suitable receptor sites which provide key habitat features, including suitable sand for egg laying, necessary to support sustainable, viable breeding populations of sand lizard.

It will also develop specs to inform best practice in the restoration of dry heathland to enable the rich biodiversity of these habitats to be maintained in favourable condition in the long term.

Final Site Visit

On the 11th of August, we went on our last site visit to Hyde Pit. This day was a scorcher at 32 degrees celsius, so we made sure we spent only the required amount of time out on the site. Whilst out there, we collected the tiny tags we left on the site and also collected some data on the infiltration rate of the soils from each plot.

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23Aug

Judges visit to Hyde Pit

On the 25th of July, judges joined us for a tour round the Hyde Pit receptor site before a presentation was given on the project.

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26Jul

What I have learned from participating in QLA

My experience as an Environmental Science student who has participated in Bath Spa University's QLA project since April 2022.

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25Jul

Laboratory analysis of sand/soil

We are currently analysing the sand/soil samples that were collected from each study site.

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21Jul

Worgret comparison site data collection

We visited Worgret on Puddletown Road, where sand lizards are known to breed, to collect environmental data.

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07Jul

Norden Heath comparison site

We visited Norden Heath, a known sand lizard breeding site, to collect data on the environmental conditions that the lizards choose.

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30Jun

Detailed data collection

Our second visit to the Masters Quarry receptor site on 15th June 2022 to collect more data including a detailed aerial map with a specialist drone operator.

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30Jun

A reptilian reception

On our first site visit we encountered five of the six UK reptile species in the breaks between the rain, an excellent learning experience for our students.

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28Jun

Our first data collection visit

On 24th May began collecting information about the breeding environment of the sand lizard, and encountered some of the reptiles making their home at Masters Quarry receptor site.

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28Jun