Lower Test Nature Reserve

Lower Test Nature Reserve

Lower Test Nature Reserve
Totton
Southampton
Hampshire
SO40 3BR

Tel: 01489 774 400
Fax: 01489 774 401
E-Mail: feedback@hwt.org.uk

Web: Lower Test Nature Reserve

About Lower Test Nature Reserve

Lower Test Nature Reserve lies in the upper reaches of the River Test estuary and extends northward into the floodplain from the Redbridge causeway. Directly south of the causeway but part of the same site is Ealing Great Marsh.
The area is one of the few remaining examples in southern England of the gradual transition from saltmarsh through brackish grassland to old unimproved hay meadows. Much of the area is under tidal influence and supports typical species such as English Scurvy Grass, Sea Aster, Sea Arrowgrass and Wild Celery. Whilst the brackish grassland has colonies of Hairy Buttercup, Brookweed and an internationally rare grass the Bulbous Foxtail. The old hay meadows support a truly colourful flora, best seen in early May, including Marsh Marigold, Water Avens, Marsh Valerian, Cowslip, Green Winged and Southern Marsh Orchids. The reedbed at around 65 - 70 acres is one of the largest on the south coast, it is intersected by various drains and tidal creeks and it is here under the willow hosts that the rare Green flowered Helleborine is found.
Eling Great Marsh can be viewed from 'Goatee Shore' and is always worth visiting it you are in the area. Here you will see a good selection of waders and wildfowl from autumn through to early spring. Wildfowl include Wigeon, Teal and a small flock of Brent Geese, but colder weather could bring Red-throated Diver, long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe and Common Scoter, most of these species being recorded annually. Waders include Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and Curlew, with Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit. White-rumped Sandpiper has been recorded.
A feature of the area are the electricity pylons, scan them carefully, especially near the top and you will probably find a Peregrine Falcon, there are generally two or three in the area during the winter months and the pylons are their favourite perches.
Lower Test Nature Reserve can be notoriously difficult to work, but recent developments have made life a little easier. The Hampshire Wildlife Trust who manage the site have constructed two observation hides overlooking a scrape and mere, with over 400 metres of boardwalk adjacent to a tidal creek and large reedbed.
The hides give a good panoramic view of the southern part of the reserve and good views of Marsh Harrier and Osprey, both of which are regular passage migrants can be seen. The scrape & Mere normally have a good selection of waders during the spring and autumn with Green and Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, Black tailed Godwits and Little Ringed Plover being regular and Wood Sandpiper and Garganey recorded annually. You will also be very unlucky if you do not see a Kingfisher.
Lower Test is particularly important for its breeding birds, Redshank, Snipe and lapwing breed throughout the grassland area. Nationally important numbers of Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warbler breed in the reedbeds along with the occasional pair of Bearded Reedling. All the common warblers with the exception of Wood Warbler breed in the hedgerows and scrub fringes.
Winter brings large numbers of wildfowl, mainly Mallard, Teal and Wigeon, also important numbers of Water Pipit and a recently found flock of Scandinavian Rock Pipit. It is however in severe cold weather that the Lower Test really comes into its own, being tidal it is one of the last places to freeze over in Southampton Water. The last cold spell in February 1991 brought Marsh Harrier, American Wigeon, Smew (5 males and 3 female