Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve: Noar Hill
Noar Hill Ancient chalk quarries which have now become one of the best examples of chalk grassland and scrub mosaic in Britain.Map Ref: SU 742 319, Landranger 186, Explorer 133
Wildlife: When the medieval chalk pits were dug they were surrounded by downland full of species waiting to colonise the disturbed chalk. Ironically the pits are now a refuge for the wildlife and provide a range of conditions to support an exceptionally diverse variety of plants and animals.
Beside the many cowslips, Noar Hill also has many other scarce species including early gentian and hairy rockcress. Among the eleven species of orchids there is a nationally important colony of musk orchid.
Well known for its butterfies - 35 breeding species have been recorded - this is an important site with significant populations of Duke of Burgandy and Brown hairstreak, as well as other less common species such as marbled white and silver-washed fritillary. There are many small woodland and scrub birds including nightingale and willow warbler.
Invertebrates include colonies of glow-worm, rufous grasshopper and the bizarre fairy shrimp, which lives in ephemeral puddles on the rutted track and survives dry periods as an egg. Carefully controlled sheep grazing encourages the rich mixture of flowers and the scrub is controlled by cutting. Blackthorn is 'coppiced' to produce the young twigs on which brown hairstreak butterflies lay their eggs, and the fine stands of juniper are encouraged. Noar Hill is a Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve.
Access: Noar Hill is open at all times but there is great concern about the plants being trampled underfoot or by being sat on during picnics. Groups intending to visit should contact Trust Headquarters at Eastleigh.
Parking: Parking is limited to the grass verge on the west side of the tarmac road. Please do not park in the farmer's access roads.
Directions: Noar Hill is about one mile south of Selbourne. From the village take the B 3006 towards Petersfield then take the first turning on the right, signposted Sutton Valence. Take the next turn on the left, a cul-de-sac. The reserve is in about half a mile.
This document maintained by Gerry
Milner-Walker
Material Copyright © 2002 Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Gerry Milner-Walker