Sandhill

Formerly a quarried area which was later used to dispose of household waste, Sandhill is a clay-capped area which is now predominately grassland. 

Some heather areas are becoming self-established and may be from seed originating from the MOD area to the south and west of Sandhill.  Grayling butterfly which occupy the heathland are hoped to be attracted to the area.  These are a rapidly declining species worth saving.  Heather also offers habitat for a number of invertebrate species including bees, butterflies and spiders.  A number of reptile species are also associated with heathland.

A view of Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth and a beautiful vista of the Solent can be seen from the top of Sandhill.  A large wooden log offers a place to rest and view the valley below.     

At the southern edge of Sandhill, running parallel with Cherque Lane, a number of fruiting trees offer an important winter food source to birds and small mammals.

Skylarks and meadow pipits nest in the open grassland during the summer months. Sky Larks are a red data list species and very rare. We would kindly ask dog walkers to stick to the paths to minimise disturbance.

Gorse offers nectar for a number of bees and Dartford warblers also enjoy this habitat, butterflies and moths. 

A number of fungi and orchid species have been found on Sandhill; these include Bee Orchids and Peziza species.