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OS.50K Sheet 185. SU461161
SITE
Itchen Valley Country Park is 440 acres of mainly
unspoilt meadow and mixed woodland. Owned by Eastleigh Borough
Council, it gives a welcome breathing space between the towns of
Eastleigh and Southampton.
As can be seen from the map, it lies alongside the
busy Eastleigh Airport, is sliced in the south by the M27 motorway and
is bordered by the Eastleigh to Fareham railway line in the north.
Through the middle of the park runs the River ltchen, and although
good views can be gained from certain vantage points, the river banks
are privately owned and access is prohibited.
HISTORY
Since the last century, the system of "floating"
the water meadows with permanent irrigation ditches and sluices, has
died out. The meadows have since been over-grazed and as late as 1970,
the remaining ditches were deepened, resulting in a considerable drop
in the water table.
The woodland area has seen little or no proper
management until recently. A large portion of broadleaved woodland was
cleared in 1961, by the Forestry Commission, and replanted with
conifers. An area of this conifer plantation was then cleared in 1970,
by Portsmouth Water Authority, for the construction of Highwood
Reservoir.
Together with the destruction of hedgerows in High
Hill Field the whole area has been somewhat misused and neglected.
Fortunately, this is a Country Park with a definite
purpose and emphasis on wildlife and conservation, an important factor
with today's demands and ever-increasing urban expansion. A
comprehensive management plan was produced to improve and restore both
the meadows and woodland to their former glory, and then to manage the
land in the traditional way.
Since the area was officially designated a Country
Park, many projects have been successfully carried out and the park is
now nearing a state of completion. Forest trails have been laid out,
bridges built, ponds dug, ditches cleared and large areas of woodland
have been coppiced. Following a detailed survey by the National Rivers
Authority, dams and sluices have recently been constructed to raise
the water table and flood the meadows.
HABITAT
The park can be conveniently split into three
distinct areas:- Open Field, Woodland and Water Meadow.
High Hill Field is a 40 acre open field, of mainly
Rye grass, surrounded by mixed hedgerows and woodland, and is the
highest point within the park. In early summer, prior to haymaking,
the ground is a carpet of wild flowers attracting many insects and
butterflies. Although good views are obtained from this point, the
area is set aside for general recreation.
The woodland around the car parks is conifer
plantation, consisting of Scots Pine, Corsican Pine and Western Red
Cedar and is generally dense. Some areas are being thinned to
encourage regeneration of natural broadleaf, while other sensitive
areas are not open to the general public but a Forest Trail (see map)
meanders around the majority of woodland and passes close to Highfield
Reservoir. This Reservoir is not part of the country park, but viewing
is allowed from the surrounding scrub-covered banks.
Broadleaf woodland is found to the east, beyond High
Hill, and consists mainly of Ash, Hazel, Alder and a few Oak. 30 acres
has been made into a Nature Reserve with limited access, but again the
Forest Trail (see map) takes you through the most interesting parts
and the newly coppiced areas.
The water meadows cover some 250 areas, consisting
of a floodplain intersected by a network of carriers and drains.
Scattered Hawthorn scrub covers the whole area with isolated Willow
and Ash along some ditches. Most of these ditches have a certain
amount of sedge or other waterside vegetation. The whole area is
grazed with cattle in the summer and is a Nature Reserve. The northern
part is out of bounds to the general public at all times. A meadows
trail (see map) is well laid out in a circular route allowing good
views over the entire area.
BIRDS
Over 40 species of common birds are resident and can
be found anywhere throughout the park. Moorhen, Mallard and Grey Heron
are found on the meadows, all three species of woodpecker, tits and
Treecreeper prefer the woodland. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are overhead
while Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail and Tufted Duck frequent the river.
Kingfishers may be glimpsed briefly along the river as can Water Rail
and Green Sandpiper from the ditches. Cormorants fly over to and from
their tree perch.
During Spring and Autumn, Wheatear and Redstart pass
through briefly while Whinchat rest along the fences and Common
Sandpiper flit along the rivers edge. Spotted Flycatchers dance their
way along the woodland edges and small numbers of Yellow Wagtail
appear with the cattle.
In the summer, typical wetiand birds such as Sedge
Warbler, Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting can be found easily. Sand
Martins hunt along the river, Cuckoos can be seen and heard in all
areas and Nightingales sing from the dense undergrowth. A passing
Hobby could be a pleasant sighting. Other warblers such as
Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler can be seen
regularly along the hedgerows and scrub.
During the winter months, the area is host to large
numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare. Smaller numbers of Snipe and Teal
favour the wetter areas. Woodcock can be flushed from the woodland
where the occasional Buzzard might also be seen. Small flocks of
Siskins tour the area, a few pairs of Stonechat can be found while an
over-wintering Chiffchaff is no surprise. In severe weather, Gulls and
Ducks congregate on Highwood Reservoir including Lesser Black-Back,
Pochard, Scaup and Ruddy Duck. I have so far managed to obtain a
satisfactory total of 130 species.
Perhaps the most significant bird was a Night Heron
whose prolonged presence was almost certainly due to suitable habitat,
created as a direct result of the dam-building and flooding. What a
pity that a few irresponsible "twitchers" were almost
certainly responsible for this bird's premature disappearance!
ACCESS
Arriving by car, leave the M27 at junction 5
(Eastleigh turn-off) and join the A27 at Swaythling. Follow this road
towards West End, for approximately 1 1/2 miles. Turn left at the mini
roundabout into Allington Lane, the park entrance being a further 1/2
mile on the left. The drive leads directly to the car parks and
impressive Information Centre.
INFORMATION
Itchen Valley country park also offers a variety of
projects for those with a wider interest in Natural History. A
butterfly transect has been running for ten years and a Dormouse
survey has been carried out. A programme of activities and guided
walks is available throughout the year.
Original article by J.C. Broadley - Volunteer Ranger.
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