Nature features

Built at a time when it was wrongly thought a new Napoleon might be planning an invasion, Portsdown Hill is a vast chalky grassland dotted with Victorian Forts.

A Chalkhill Blue Butterfly

For hundreds of years the downland here was continually grazed so that tiny chalkland plants could thrive, bringing with them rare butterflies and other insects.

But as Portsmouth grew and the city life moved closer, it stopped being grazed and became a dumping ground for vehicles, litter and even kitchen sinks!

Restoration has been underway for the past 10 years.

Bastard Toadflax

A herd of Aberdeen Angus are now grazing the hill and a team of volunteer 'scrub-bashers' meet regularly to help clear the invasive shrubs, led by Warden Richard Jones:

"As we cleared scrub we were uncovering archives of litter dated from the 1980's!"

"The scrub itself supports an interesting range of wildlife, so we have to strike a balance between maintaining enough scrub, whilst keeping the chalk grassland in good condition."

The spreading scrub covering the chalk downland is now receding, and nature is starting to thrive.

Sunny summer days bring clouds of rare Chalkhill blue butterflies and carpets of wild flowers, including delicate orchids are now establishing themselves.

Aberdeen Angus Cattle grazing

Highlights to spot include Bee orchids and Bastard Toadflax which might not look particularly spectacular but it is nationally rare, and grows abundantly here.

Portsdown is always looking for new volunteers to help clear the scrub, or simply go for a walk and check on the cattle and fences and count some of the returning wildlife.

Volunteers meet every Wednesday and one Sunday in the month.  More information 02392 389623.