Powerstock Common is an ancient woodland site, covering 115 hectares (285 acres),  with coppice, heathy grassland, old hedgebanks and ponds.  It is an exceptional site for butterflies (37 species have been recorded so far) and has a good range of flora and fauna.   Fox, Grey Squirrel, Fallow and Roe Deer are all resident species.  Part of Powerstock Common was acquired on lease by the Forestry Commission in 1957 and over 80  acres were planted with conifers which still cover much of the original woodland area.  The Dorset Wildlife Trust obtained the remainder of the Forestry Commission lease in 1985.Birds of prey can be seen, with Buzzards frequently soaring overhead, and Hobbies sometimes seen too, but Sparrowhawks are rarely seen.  Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Black Caps, Garden Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers may be seen along the walk, and Willow Tits are regularly recorded here.

SECTION 1: SHADY BRIDLEWAY AND LAY-BY (Length 100m).

Enter the Reserve, noting the Oak trees by the main gate which, in due season, are hosts to Purple Hairstreaks.  The path (level walking to the end of section 3) takes you through a fine selection of shrubs and medium sized trees, including Spindle, with grassy verges.  Speckled Wood butterflies are plentiful around the shady areas.

SECTION 2: BRIDLEWAY TO RESERVE ENTRANCE (Length 100m).

Some fine Oaks at the locked field gate guide you into this section, via a small bridle gate, with a wide verge on the left, offering a fair selection of flora, which includes Early Purple and Common Spotted Orchids, Knapweed and Betony, ever-changing through the spring and summer.  Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Skippers are often plentiful here, and Speckled Woods, Brimstones, Green-veined Whites, Common Blues and Silver-washed Fritillaries are usually here in good numbers during early August.Spotted Flycatchers may occasionally be seen here, taking a break in their migration; the tiny Goldcrests can be seen and, more often, heard busily moving from branch to branch in the trees uttering their high-pitched song.  Follow the path until a junction with a Dorset Wildlife Trust notice board ends the section. 

SECTION 3: RECLAIMED MEADOW (Length 60m).

Section 3 commences at the DWT notice board (please return the leaflet!), and takes you on the left hand path along the edge of a recently reclaimed meadow with scrubby Birch on your left and Gorse on both sides of the path.  This section is one of the richest for butterfly species - four species of Skipper (Small, Large, Dingy and Grizzled), Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Marbled White, Small Pearl-bordered and Marsh Fritillary being some you are likely to encounter.  The very fortunate will see the Tree Pipit's song flight during spring and early summer.  The small yellow flowers of Tormentil are worth looking out for on the right side of the path, and Coltsfoot may be seen earlier in the season.  Section 3 ends at the junction with another path.

SECTION 4: BRIDLEWAY THROUGH CONIFEROUS WOODLAND (Length 200m).

This section begins where a  path leads off to the left.  Keep walking ahead, up a gentle slope; the habitat is as for the previous section, before entering mainly coniferous woodland with grassy edges, with Gorse to the right, which attract several butterfly species, Speckled Wood perhaps the most likely as it  flits across the tall grass and into the canopy, particularly in autumn; Gatekeepers predominate in summer but good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary and Peacocks may also be seen, along with Brimstones.  The trees are homes to Green Woodpeckers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers can also occasionally be seen.  To the left in early summer Bluebells abound.

SECTION 5: CLEARED AREA (Length 300m).

Start at the intersection of the paths under a canopy of oak on the right with a grassy clearing and plenty of Thistle, attractive to several species.  There is a good selection of mature Oak, Ash and Fir, and a Crab Apple tree can also be seen to your left together with Wild Daffodils in season, making a back-drop to the grass bordering the path before you come, on your right, to a partially cleared area often good for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.Proceed along the bridleway to where another path joins from the right and the open area near a pile of logs, often very productive of both flora and butterfly species, including Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Small and Large Skipper, Marbled White, Peacock and Silver-washed Fritillary.   This marks the end of Section 5.

SECTION 6: BRIDLEWAY WITH MIXED GRASS VERGES (Length 60m).

The path meanders gently down through verges of mixed grasses, Gorse and heath.  An enclosed area on your right has been coppiced to encourage more species on to the Reserve.  The thistles to the right of the path are worth looking at in early August for Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Small and Large Skipper.  The Oaks flanking the path often produce sightings of Purple Hairstreak.  Turning slightly to the right, the Section ends as another path leads off left.

SECTION 7: OPEN AREA  (Length 400m).

Another open space starts the section and Bramble on the right is an irresistible lure for Commas in the autumn and Silver-washed Fritillaries in the summer, when Gatekeepers can usually be seen in good numbers.  Common Centaury grows to the left of the path and Bracken to the right, followed by a short stand of thistles which provide a good place to watch Peacocks, Small and Large Whites, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells and Common Blues.Follow on to the clearing which marks the end of the track, taking note of the superb stand of Oak and Ash on your right - home to Nuthatch and Purple Hairstreak. In the wide gap in the hedge, the end of Section 7, take a careful look at the Bramble for Silver-washed Fritillaries and other butterflies.

SECTION 8:  ROUGH GRASSLAND  (Length 100m).

Turn sharp right by the marker post, passing Hemp Agrimony and Fleabane in August which butterflies love, and with the wood on your right and rough grassland on the left follow the path to the bottom of the incline and a wood bridle gate.  This section is good for many species - Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper and Gatekeeper all being plentiful.  In some years this section is very good for Clouded Yellows and birds to be seen and heard here include Coal Tits. Should you not wish to retrace your steps, go through the bridle gate and the path through open woodland (very short distance, but muddy in winter and after prolonged rain) will take you on to the old railway line.  This is almost level walking back to the car park.  Turn right and proceed approximately one mile (very stony in small patches) back to an iron gate near the end of the track.  Turn right through the gate, which will lead you back to the DWT notice board.