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OS 50K Sheets 196/7, SU 68/6913
Introduction
Catherington Down Nature Reserve comprises 32 acres
of chalk grassland with narrow areas of fringing woodland. It is on
the eastern side of a valley one mile N.W. of Horndean. The shallow
soil of much of the site supports a rich chalk grassland flora,
including several increasingly rare species. Catherington Down is also
of interest for the mediaeval strip lynchets which form unusually high
terraces on the steepest slopes of the grassland.
The Down is a local Nature Reserve and has been
notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also a
Heritage Site for its archaeological interest. Catherington was given
to the County Council in 1963 by Captain F.H. long with the intention
that it '.shall remain open land and terraces unbuilt upon and in its
natural state and so encourage the flora and fauna", and is now
managed jointly by The County Recreation Department and the Hampshire
and Isle of Wight Naturalists' Trust.
Four public footpaths cross the reserve and there is
free public access. Car parking is available at the southern point of
access and in two laybys on the Clanfield Road. When visiting the
reserve, please respect the wildlife of the area and the facilities
that have been provided for your use.
History
The strip lynchets are thought to date from the 12th
or 13th centuries. The lynchets were probably formed by the movement,
of earth as the land was ploughed in strips along the contours off the
Down. During the last war, the level strips between the terraces were
ploughed and re-seeded and the species-rich turf was destroyed.
Fortunately, the steep slopes of the terraces were not affected and
have acted as reservoirs for many of the chalk grassland species,
allowing them to recolonise the improved areas.
The lynchets continue into the woodland surrounding
the Down, woodland which must have developed after the decline of
arable cultivation. Coppicing has occurred in the woods and it is
hoped that it will be practised more regularly in the future.
Chalk Grassland
Only plants which can tolerate thin and dry soils
will grow in chalk grassland. Nevertheless, as at Catherington, this
habitat can contain a very wide range of species as these conditions
do not allow exclusive dominance by any one plant. Grazing helps in
this, curbing the development of coarse grasses and scrub. However,
ploughing and the application of fertilisers rapidly leads to a loss
of typical plants. The southern part of the reserve has been severely
affected in this way but management is being directed towards
restoring its value for wildlife.
Chalk grasslands were once common in Hampshire but
the decline of traditional sheep farming and the development of
intensive arable cultivation has caused a loss of 98% of natural chalk
grasslands within the county. The remaining fragments are often found
on steep slopes such as at Catherington which, by their nature, are
difficult to cultivate.
The colour of the down varies throughout the spring
and summer as different species flower. There is generally a yellow
appearance in spring with the large number of Cowslips and Bulbous
Buttercups. In high summer, a mosaic of purples, blues and mauves
develops as such plants as Clustered Bellflower, Knapweed, Small
Scabious, Harebell, Thyme and Marjoram begin to dominate. Thyme and
Marjoram are culinary herbs and their leaves exude a familiar
fragrance when rubbed. Blue, purple and mauve flowers are often rich
in nectar and on warm days many butterflies maybe attracted to such
plants. The very rare Round-Headed Rampion, with its blue spikey
flowers is widespread on the down and are found in particularly large
numbers on the steepest slopes which have not been disturbed by
ploughing. Milkwort is frequently seen in all its colour forms:- blue,
mauve, pink and white. Although tiny, the bright colours of this plant
render it very conspicuous . In winter the Down is a blend of dull
grey-green and brown, which contrasts sharply with the brighter greens
of neighbouring improved grassland.
Orchids abound in most natural chalk grasslands and
Catherington is no exception with at least seven species being found.
Common Spotted Orchids are the most obvious, having a long and
tapering flower spike with many densely packed pale lilac flowers, and
leaves which are spotted with purple blotches. Rare and spectacular
Bee Orchids may often be seen, although in some years they are
entirely absent. These Orchids are easily recognised by the broad,
velvety lip which looks like a bee settling on the flower. The plant
takes five to eight years to reach maturity and having flowered,
usually dies. Each seed pod, however, can contain up to 10,000
dustlike seeds. Frog Orchids are small and being green flowered, very
inconspicuous. Scattered colonies may be found at the bottom of
lynchet slopes. Despite their name, the flower bears little
resemblance to a frog. Ladies Tresses, on the other hand, appear in
September and their spikes of up to twenty flowers, arranged in a
tight, spiral are reminiscent of a plait of hair. The tall pink spikes
of Fragrant Orchid may be recognised by the unspotted
carnation-scented flowers with their long spurs, whilst the graceful
flowers of the white Butterfly Orchid might to thought to resemble
exotic butterflies. They have a sweet scant which becomes stronger in
darkness, attracting night flying moths.
Throughout the Down, mounds formed by Meadow Ants
can be seen, indicative of grazed but unploughed ancient turf. They
increase in size each year and large anthills are thought to grow at
the rate of one litre a year. Rabbits are attracted to the anthills
and their grazing keeps the vegetation short, allowing low plants such
as Thyme and Squinancywort to thrive on the well drained and warm
mounds.
Several species of butterfly typical of chalk
grassland are largely absent from Catherington but Meadow Browns and
Common Blues are often seen. Efforts are being made to improve the
habitat for butterflies and hopefully the future should see a return
of species such as the Marbled White. Areas of scrub at Catherington
provide shelter for commoner species of butterfly such as Commas and
Brimstones.
Scrub and Woodland
Areas of scrub provide an excellent habitat for
small birds such as Whitethroats and Long-tailed Tits, whose spherical
nests made of mosses and lichens may be found in clumps of tall gorse.
Several species of Wild Rose may be found including the uncommon Sweet
Briar which releases a sweet apple fragrance from its leaves when
crushed.
The narrow belt of woodland along the roadside
boundary is largely Oak dominated and is probably of recent origin.
Along the top slope, a smaller belt of older, more mixed woodland is
found. Great Spotted Woodpeckers can often be heard here and
Treecreepers can be seen scaling trunks of Wild Cherry and other
trees. Pallid spikes of Toothwort emerge in Spring, growing beneath
the stands of Hazel, on which it is parasitic. Many other woodland
flowers bloom before the leaves of trees cut out the sunlight. These
include Bluebell, Yellow Archangel, Primrose and the aptly named Town
Hall Clock, an inconspicuous plant whose green flowers grow in
clusters of five - one pointing upwards and four facing outwards as if
on the sides of a clocktower.
Hampshire Wildlife Trust, 8 Romsey Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire. SO50
9AL.
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