West Weare
(Dorset)

Closest Town:

FORTUNESWELL (0.8 km)

Introduction date:

circa 1990s

Site Name:

West Weare

Source of introduction:

Captive bred stock, released by a private breeder. Believed to be a mixture of sources, including imported French stock and captured animals from the Shoreham, Ventnor and Birdbrook colonies.

Site Access:

Public

Colony Status:

Extant

Relative population estimate:

Unknown

Extirpation date:

N/a

The precise location of this colony is unknown. They are believed to have been released in Tout Quarry (which is now the location of the well known Sculpture Park), but relocated to the sea cliffs. A survey of the area in 2007 failed to find the animals, but the colony is believed to be extant.

The Portland area has historically been poor in terms of reptile numbers. The only reptiles present on the Island which may find themselves in direct competition with the introduced Wall lizards are the native Common lizards. Provided that the Wall li

Boulder-strewn, high sea cliffs fronting a series of disused quarries.

Believed to be the green-backed form, unlike the brown-backed animals found elsewhere on Portland.