Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve
Notes
Lying just on the western parish boundary of the village, Parsonage Down NNR is a working farm owned and managed by Natural England.
Main habitats: lowland grassland
For health and safety reasons, there is no access to the farm.
The site is notable for its abundant wildflowers with over 150 species being recorded, including salad burnet, dropwort, devil’s-bit scabious and knapweed. Orchids are also abundant with burnt tip, green-winged, frog, fragrant and pyramidal all being recorded on the site.
Anthills cover the old downland. Green woodpeckers feed on the anthills and they are the favoured site for plants such as thyme and rockrose.
The site also contains areas of scrub and these support birds such as yellowhammer and turtle dove, with lapwing and grey and red-legged partridge breeding on the downland.
As well as its wildlife interest the site includes two scheduled monuments and several other archaeological features.
The best time to visit the reserve is during the summer, for wildflowers and livestock
Parsonage Down NNR Cherry Lodge Farm Shrewton SP3 4ET
If you would like to advertise here, please contact: clerk@winterbournestokepc.org.uk