The area consists of:
a) Bartley Heath, an area of southern heathland
severely affected by the invasion of Purple Moor Grass and Silver
Birch since grazing ceased about fifty years ago. In recent years
ownership has passed to the Hampshire Wildlife Trust who are now
actively restoring it, with the help of volunteers who are clearing
scrub and New Forest ponies which graze there. The heath is split into
two main parts by the M3 motorway.
b) Lodge Farm, which is mainly devoted to "pick-your-own"
crops
c) The River Whitewater.
d) The Basingstoke Canal.
e) Cotman's Corner, also owned by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, and
Butter Wood, a privately owned area of mature Oaks and rides with good
access by public footpath.
In the summer the northern part of Bartley Heath
supports a few Tree Pipits. It has, in the past, been a site for roding Woodcock. The wooded area alongside Holt Lane has a good
mixture of woodland birds including Marsh Tit. Kestrels and
Sparrowhawks regularly hunt in this area; Buzzards have also been seen
and they may be breeding locally.
The southern part of the heath contains much Hazel
and Birch scrub where common warblers can easily be found. All year
round Bullfinches can be found near the pottery. This area is also a
good site for summer butterflies such as Marbled White, Silver- washed
Fritillary and, in the more wooded areas, White Admirals. The northern
part of the heath was for many years noted for its colony of Marsh
Fritillary butterflies. Unfortunately they have become very scarce in
recent years and their present status is doubtful. However there are
many other common species of butterfly here and, in late August and
September, there is a dramatic display of the flowers of the rare
Marsh Gentian which is worth a visit in its own right.
Lodge Farm during the summer is popular with PYO
visitors but Yellow Wagtails appear to breed here and Skylarks can be
heard overhead. In winter the tilled soil is often visited by mixed
flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover with up to 300 of each species
being present. Single Green Sandpipers are regularly seen alongside
the River Whitewater, along with Grey and Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits
and the occasional Kingfisher. A Peregrine Falcon was seen in the area
this January much to the discomfort of the waders. Kestrels frequently
perch on the telegraph wires.
In summer the Basingstoke Canal has many breeding
pairs of Moorhen, Coot and Little Grebe as well as one pair of Mute
Swans which raise a good many cygnets. The trees alongside the canal
have the usual passerines including Spotted Flycatcher and warblers.
In winter the fields by the canal contain good numbers of Redwing and
Fieldfare.
Cotman's Corner and Butter Wood are well worth a
diversion in summer for their butterflies. A visit in July can provide
up to 25 species including Brimstone as well as Large, Small and Essex
Skippers. Many Purple Hairstreaks can be seen flying around the tops
of the oak trees, your birding binoculars are very useful for seeing
this. Silver- washed Fritillaries (including the form vaiezina), Red
and White admirais and, on a lucky day, Purple Emperor can all be seen
hers. The Cotman's Corner area is particularly good for "browns"
and you can expect to see large numbers of Ringlet, Meadow Brown,
Gatekeeper and Marbled White. Willow Tits breed in Butter Wood which
also contains good numbers of woodland birds and two Crossbills ware
seen at Cotman's Corner this winter.
