Martin and Tidpit Downs
Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire
Martin and Tidpit Downs is a 367.5-hectare (908-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-west of Fordingbridge in Hampshire. Martin Down is a 341-hectare (840-acre) national nature reserve and an area of 115 hectares (280 acres) is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. Bokerley Dyke, a prehistoric linear earthwork and scheduled monument, runs through the site.
This site is rich in prehistoric earthworks, including Bokerley Dyke. It has chalk grassland, heath and scrub, with a rich herb flora. Sheep grazing is increasing the botanical quality of the grassland. There is an outstanding assemblage of butterflies, with 36 species recorded, including marbled white, dark green fritillary, silver-spotted skipper and Duke of Burgundy.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Martin and Tidpit Downs”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia) (geograph 1942616).jpg by Maigheach-gheal, CC BY-SA 2.0
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