Sopley Common is an important area of wet and dry heath and forms part of the ridge that divides the rivers Moors and Avon.  In addition to its butterflies, reptiles, lizards and dragonflies are well represented.  The dry heath is colonised by Common (Ling) Heath (Caluna vulgaris) and purple Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), while the wetter lowland has the Cross-leaved Heather (Erica tetralix).  The Silver-studded Blue prefers the wetter heath, where the heather is short and mown on the firebreaks.  These are on Forestry Commission land and the heathland extends from the outskirts of Christchurch to Ringwood, although much has conifer plantations on it.  The butterfly populations of open heaths tend to be low, especially when the heather is long, but there are several day-flying moths, including the Latticed Heath, Emperor and Fox Moths, and an abundance of Common Heath and Silver Y moths, which add to the interest.

SECTION 1: WIDE MOWN RIDE AND LONG HEATHER ON SOUTHERN SLOPE (Length 370m).

Stay on the south side of the road, following the firebreak ride along the southern boundary of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve, slowly climbing.  Three White butterflies: Small, Large and Green-veined are seen here, along with Brimstones, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Gatekeepers, all in their respective seasons.  After 200 metres there is a spring line at the transition to dry heath. Note the good population of Bog Asphodel at and around the spring line in July and August.  A little further up the hill on the left there is a path into the Reserve leading across the heath.  Follow this path climbing the hill ahead of you, and continue down the other side until you reach the road.  This ends Section 1.

SECTION 2: LONG HEATHER, EXPOSED AREA  (Length 150m).

Turn right and follow the footpath through the gorse, looking out for Brimstones, Peacocks and Small Coppers, and across the heath, making your way towards the large wooden fence on the tumulus at the top of the rise.  This area of dry heath is quite clear, with just the occasional invading Silver Birch.   Take advantage of the view east over the ponds and wet heath below, as you return to the firebreak by crossing a stile on the wooden fence.  Apart from Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns in mid- to late July this heathland area does not have an abundance of butterflies although it will probably be the first area on the walk where the Silver-studded Blue may be seen in early July.

SECTION 3: EAST-FACING SLOPE  (Length 90m).

Having crossed the stile, turn left into the firebreak, and descend the hill keeping to the right of the tumulus.  From here you get a good view of the boggy areas, where ponds have formed, to the left of the hill, and the bridge of the Avon Causeway can also be seen in the distance.  On the right of the firebreak is a dense covering of coniferous woodland.  Upon reaching the gravel track which forms a cross-roads with the firebreak, you have reached the end of Section 3. 

SECTION 4: SHADED, TREE-LINED SERVICE TRACK  (Length 200m).

At the cross-roads, turn right and walk along the  gravel track towards Brickfield Cottage.  This shaded area forms a significant contrast to the open heath elsewhere and, apart from the shade-loving Speckled Woods, you are unlikely to see any butterflies on this track except perhaps a Red Admiral moving through.  To the right of the path Lawson's Cypress and Wild Cherry may be seen, and look out too along the sides for Oak, Birch, Scots Pine, and Western Hemlock, and to the left occasional Gorse and Rhododendron bushes are encroaching on the woodland.  In 200 metres,  before reaching the cottage, turn left passing a wooden barrier at the side of the path into the heath.  This ends Section 4.

SECTION 5: BRICK KILN TRIANGLE - WARM HEATH  (Length 250m).

Walk along the path keeping to the right hand side.  At the right time of year the sandy path provides perfect camouflage for Grayling butterflies.  This is the main area for Silver-studded Blues, and management is taking place in the winter months to keep the habitat suitable for this rare butterfly.  The heath is cut in rotation to ensure some heather is always  of a suitable length for these butterflies to lay their eggs.   Other butterflies it is worth looking out for include Small and Large Whites, Brimstones and Clouded Yellows. The banks on the edge of the path are kept long in order to make a suitable habitat for reptiles. The most likely reptile to encounter on Sopley Common is the Adder, but look out too for Common Lizards on bare logs or stones and Sand Lizards basking  in the heather or at the very edge of sandy paths quite early on sunny summer mornings; midday sun is too hot for reptiles.  The area is near some ponds and several types of dragonflies might visit,  including the Common Darter, Emperor, Southern Hawker and Black Darter.   You should walk along the path as it winds its way to the right until you reach a broken wire fence.  The heather near the fence is much longer than that in the managed area and it is interesting to compare the size of Silver-studded Blue population in the two parts.  Having reached the fence, you should then turn around and walk back  on the edge of the heath on the other side of the path until you return to the barrier.  This ends Section 5.

SECTION 6: OPEN TRACK  (Length 170m).

Retrace your path back down the track away from the cottage.  When you reach the junction of Sections 3 and 4 at the bottom of the hill, Section 6 starts.  The trees are worth looking at as Holly Blues are occasionally seen, distinguished by their much higher flight than the other Blues and, when they settle, by their different underwing pattern.   The Whites are seen along the track and sometimes also Red Admirals, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. At this point you might like to make a diversion to your right, through the trees, to visit a small pond to admire the dragonflies and damselflies.  Typical species to observe include Four-spotted Chaser, Keeled Skimmer and Southern Hawker dragonflies and Small Red, Common Blue and Azure damselflies.  Silver-studded Blues are also seen in this area at the height of their season.  Common and Oblong-leaved Sundews and bog plants such as White Beak Sedge, Bog Asphodel and Purple Moor Grass may also be seen.  Mind how you go - do not get wet feet or fall in.   Return to the track, turn right and walk past Gorse and Rhododendron bushes to your right to the main Avon Causeway road.  In the wet hollows of this part of the walk it is worth also looking out for Brown Beak Sedge, and Nightjars sometimes nest here.  This is not the exact route followed by the butterfly count, which cuts off the corner by turning right straight after the Rhododendrons and diverts onto a small path across the heathland along the ridge.  However, when wet this route can be boggy and hazardous to the unwary. The shrub and trees lining the main track is a good place to look for Green Hairstreaks.  The road ends Section 6. Turn right onto the road and walk along the verge.  Take care, because the cars drive fast along here, with little regard for pedestrians.  In 150 metres you will come to a signpost marked "Public Footpath" on the other side of the road, just before the Avon Causeway bridge.  Cross the road with care:  the bridge makes it difficult to see the approaching traffic.  On the other side of the road, walk down this footpath, and you will reach a gate and a sign marked "Sopley Common". 

SECTION 7: OPEN WET HEATH  (Length 230m).

Pass through the gate and turn right, following the firebreak parallel with the Avon Causeway road towards the bridge.  After you pass the block of trees to the left, turn left along a small track and walk across the open ground behind the trees.  Just beyond the trees is a mown firebreak.  Follow this round to the left and across the Reserve. As you walk along the path you can see a high ridge with a land-slip on your left.  This was caused by excessive use by motorcyclists, mountain bikers and walkers.  At the same time watch out for Dartford Warblers which, often accompanied by Stonechats, are not uncommon on Sopley Common, particularly in Sections 7 and 8.  Nightjars rest on the heath - if you disturb one, walk briskly away, the chicks or eggs will be nearby and she will want to return to them. The main area of interest is to your right where Silver-studded Blues may be observed and look out on the ride itself for the well-camouflaged Grayling. Peacock and Small Tortoiseshells are the most frequently seen butterflies in early summer. The heather in this section is mostly Ling, but damp areas have Cross-leaved Heath, and as you walk along look out for Hares-tail Cotton Grass.  The big oval pond which can be seen is actually a flooded ex-scramble track; the permanent ponds are much smaller and lie along the side of the Forestry Commission firebreak.  The firebreak winds its way to the right towards some overhead electricity poles, and eventually a wire fence is reached, at which point the path diverts to the left.  Turn right through a gap in the fence at the end of the section.

SECTION 8: MOWN HEATHER AND GRASS  (Length 660m).

This begins on the main Forestry Commission firebreak.  Notice the contrast with the previous section.  Walk along the right-hand side of the firebreak, 5 to 10 metres from the edge, looking out for Graylings.  After a short distance turn left into the east-west firebreak, but still keep to the right-hand side.  There are some good Common and Oblong-leaved Sundews along this stretch and good populations of Sphagnum Moss can be found in the wet hollows.  Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and Buzzards are regulars overhead, and other birds migrating up the Avon Valley visit occasionally and are worth looking out for. Amongst the Heather and Gorse, you may observe Dartford Warblers and Stonechat, and overhead you may see Linnets flying. Walk as far as the ride junction.  Then cross to the other side of the firebreak and walk back  still with the edge on your right-hand side.  When you reach the T-junction turn right, retracing your steps and continue up the hill.  Silver-studded Blues may be found all along this firebreak, though numbers have decreased in this area in recent years.  Halfway up the hill you will cross the spring line again.  Note the burrows in the left-hand bank, and watch out for Small Heaths.  Walk right to the top of the hill, then look back to admire the view and appreciate the lay-out of the ponds.  Turn right when you reach a wire fence and walk along for a very short distance towards the coniferous woodland before passing under the fence through a small clearing in the trees, onto a sandy path which leads away from the fence.  This ends Section 8.

SECTION 9: SPARSE DRY HEATHER, BARE PATCHES  (Length 240m).

In this section the management aim is to encourage re-growth of the heather.  There is, however, damage from mountain and motor-bikes, and walkers are encouraged to keep to the track.   Aim for the Neolithic settlement and tumulus, which is fenced.  Look out on your way up the hill for Peacocks, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Small and Large Whites and, with a little luck, a Silver-studded Blue.  At the top of the hill you have a magnificent view over the entire area.  Skirt the downhill side of the settlement and the Reserve boundary.  The small hump on the top of the hill ends Section 9.

SECTION 10: SCRUB-COVERED SOUTH-WESTERN SLOPE  (Length 200m).

This is the last section as you descend the hill on the other side, through fairly open woodland with encroaching scrub, pine, Silver Birch and Sycamore.  Nightingales used to be seen and, more often, heard in the woods in this section, but their present status here is doubtful.  At the bottom of the hill, follow the path.  You will reach a triangular area as the path bears right.  Keep walking along the path, and as it bears left divert into a small clearing on the left.  During the war there was an RAF camp here and the plants reflect that occupation with apple trees and Lilies-of-the-Valley.  The apple trees and Ground Ivy provide a valuable nectar source for Red Admirals, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells.  Return to the path and continue to the left, eventually emerging back at the road opposite the Ramsdown Car Park.  This walk ends as you reach the road.