Reserves spotlight

Discover Greywell Moors...

is special pair of nature reserves in north Hampshire, situated either side of the M3 near Hook, are nationally important for their fen and heathland habitats. Signifi cant conservation works are in motion to support nature’s recovery at both sites. A visit to either reserve o ers the chance to encounter rare and unique wildlife.

Located on the headwaters of the river Whitewater, the open fen meadows at Greywell Moors Nature Reserve off er nationally important wetland habitat to many species, especially insects and plants.

Stonechats take winter refuge in the reeds at Greywell Moors.

The fens are fed by a series of springs that form where cracks in the chalk bedrock allow water to bubble up from the aquifer below. These crystal-clear pools support a varied range of nationally scarce plants.

The Trust has recently undertaken extensive habitat restoration work at Greywell to open up even more of the fenland, while a pair of Exmoor ponies are currently free grazing the site to promote fl oral biodiversity.

Wildlife bonanza

In terms of wildlife at Greywell, recent invertebrate surveys found the reserve to be one of the most diverse in the country with a staggering 678 species identifi ed. Incredibly, this represents an increase of over 20% in species diversity when compared to a similar survey carried out in 2016 when around 550 species were recorded.

A wide range of pollinators are an important part of the site’s rich insect diversity, and Greywell Moors also boasts impressive plant diversity. In some parts of the reserve, it’s estimated there are up to 40 separate plant species per square metre.

Seven orchid species, including southern marsh orchid and marsh helleborine, have been recorded at the reserve in summer. Other fl owering plants found at Greywell include hemp agrimony, purple and yellow loosestrife, and marsh valerian. From December, the reserve’s small pockets of woodland host fabulous displays of primroses.

Greywell Moors’ open fenland also attracts an array of birdlife. Stonechats make use of the reedbeds as a winter haven, while kingfi shers have expanded their range into the reserve’s open waterways. Hobbies were reported in summer, probably attracted by the plentiful dragonfl ies by the water, while buzzards and kestrels often hunt among the wooded habitat.

Recent footage showing evidence of nearby otters also raise the hope these water-loving mammals could make use of the reserve in the future too.

Though winter may not present Greywell in its best light, the exquisite and varied fen habitats are sure to off er wildlife highlights year-round.

...and Hook Common

MIKE READ

Comprising two adjoining nature reserves that are designated Sites of Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI), Hook Common and Bartley Heath Nature Reserve off er a fantastic example of heathland restoration in action.

Lowland heathland is a precious, yet internationally rare, habitat and largescale declines have seen its coverage in the UK diminish by approximately 85% in the last 150 years.

Hampshire is home to a third of Britain’s remaining lowland heathland, and while the majority of that is found in the New Forest, the habitat also has a stronghold in the north of the county.

Restoring nature

We’re using the services of native cattle and Exmoor ponies as part of a conservation grazing programme to help regenerate the heaths at Hook Common and Bartley Heath (fi nd out more on page 22).

This has helped control the proliferation of invasive birch scrub and allowed the heather to regenerate, which has positive knock-on eff ects for various species.

The low-growing and nationally scarce marsh gentian – whose fl owers off er a delightful splash of violet blue among the pinks and purples of the heather – can be spotted at Bartley Heath.

Meanwhile, stonechats – a bird often found in heaths – were seen displaying courtship behaviour at Hook Common this year, a promising sign that’s not been observed at the reserve for a while.

As well as expanses of open heath, the two reserves also boast ancient wood pasture that, during autumn and winter, off er fantastic opportunities for fi nding fungi, followed by velvety bluebell carpets in spring.

Birds of prey including buzzards, red kites and kestrels use both sites as hunting grounds, while reptiles including adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards, are present on warm, summer days.

A series of former gravel pits at Bartley Heath are now ephemeral ponds that attract lots of dragonfl y species plus a range of frogs, toads and newts, including great crested newts. Look out for frog and toad spawn in spring.

Careful restoration of the wildlife-rich habitats at these reserves will continue to support nature’s recovery; it’s fascinating to witness the return of the hum of life.

The rare marsh gentian plant is found at Bartley Heath.

MIKE READ

NOW YOU DO IT

Visit Greywell Moors Nature Reserve

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Location: Deptford Lane, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BS

what3words reference:

///forklift.whips.scaff old Parking: Park on the left-hand side of an approach drive to the pumping station on Deptford Lane. Please keep vehicle access to pumping station clear. Nearest train stop: Hook (2 miles) Nearest bus stop: Priors Corner, North Warnborough (1 mile) Reserve size: 13 hectares Getting around: Public footpath runs through the reserve. Take care when it’s muddy and please avoid the marshy areas as these are sensitive to trampling and can be dangerous to cross. Permit required if you wish to visit the northern part of the reserve.

Visit Hook Common & Bartley Heath Nature Reserve

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Location: RG27 9JJ to Hook Cricket Club, for access to Hook Common

what3words reference:

///vibes.paces.table (for Hook Cricket Club parking). Parking: Park at Hook Cricket Club Nearest train stop: Hook (0.3 miles) Nearest bus stop: Station Road, Hook (0.3 miles) Reserve size: 123 hectares Getting around: Hook Common and Bartley Heath are open access land, and several public Rights of Way and many informal paths cross the site. Take care when it’s wet as the ground can become boggy, and please keep to the obvious paths during spring and summer to avoid disturbing rare ground-nesting birds. For Bartley Heath, there are several pedestrian access points on Griffi n Way South and at the car park entrance (car park kept locked with a combination lock – get in touch for a permit if you wish to use this facility).