Lower Test Valley is a 142-hectare (350-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Totton in Hampshire.[1][2] It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site[3] and Special Protection Area,[4] and of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.[5] It is a nature reserve managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.[6]
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 | |
| Location | Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SU 364 144[1] |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 142.0 hectares (351 acres)[1] |
| Notification | 1986[1] |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The valley has extensive reed beds, tidally flooded creeks, unimproved grassland and scattered willow trees. More than 450 flowering plants have been recorded, including the nationally rare green-flowered helleborine. The reed beds have large populations of wetland breed birds.[7]
There is no access to the reserve at high tide.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Lower Test Valley". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "Map of Lower Test Valley". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent and Southampton Water". Ramsar Site. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent and Southampton Water". Special Protection Areas. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent Maritime". Special Areas of Conservation. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Lower Test". Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "Lower Test Valley citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.