Size

The heath is 145.81 Ha in size, although not all of this is SSSI.

History

Parley Common has been the site of some interesting firsts.  In Heathlands (Collins, 1986) Professor Nigel Webb says that Parley Common is 'renowned for the numerous rare species that have been found there.'  It was at Parley Common in the late 19th century that the now extinct Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) was first discovered.  The Large Bagworm (Pachythelia villosella) and the Ringed Carpet (Cleora cincaria) were also first discovered here, as was the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), which was first recorded in Britain on Parley Heath in 1853.  But it was the discovery of the Speckled Footman (Coscinia cribraria) in 1820 that really put Parley Common on the map.

Ownership

The majority of Parley common is owned by the Canford Estate. A Glebe strip is owned by the Diocese of Salisbury. Dorset County Council owns part of the heath near the Heatherland's Centre at Trickett's Cross, and East Dorset District Council own part of the heath in the Northwest. There are a few private individuals who own small areas within the SSSI.

Management

Most of the heath is managed by the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT). East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council manage their own areas, and the Glebe strip that runs North to South down the site is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Habitat and Wildlife

There are several different habitat types at Parley common. There are areas of dry heath, humid heath, wet heath and mire. There are also areas of deciduous broad-leaved woodland and pine plantation.  The birds most often seen or heard on site are green woodpeckers, stonechats, dartford warblers, nightjars, buzzards and kestrels. All six species of British reptile are found on Parley common, and HCT have many pieces of tin on site for smooth snake surveying. Grass snakes are often found in the stream as well as several species of dragonfly.  Butterflies that are often sighted include the silver studded blue, marbled white, painted lady, white admiral, orange tip, peacock, grayling and many more...

Many badger setts can be found among the trees, some of which are still active, and roe deer can often be spotted in the woods around the common.