First Shetland lambs born at St Caths!

The first lambs of the season were born this morning. The lambs will be keep on clean fields until big and wise enough to graze the slopes of St Caths proper. The flock of Shetland sheep help us to keep the grass short and hence warm enough for scarce downland butterflies, such as brown argus, small blue and chalkhill blue. This hardy breed of sheep is also great at keeping the invading scrub in check.

Less sheep, more colour?

We've been taking more sheep off the hill this summer in an effort to boost the wild flowers. Like many other chalk grassland reserves we aim to graze the reserve in the autumn/winter period. So the sheep will be making a come back in the next few weeks with the cattle come on in late September.
We have also removed short sections of fencing near the car park entrance, so that the cattle are able to graze this sheltered corner of the reserve. This area was part of the former A31 bypass that was restored to chalk grassland when the motorway was constructed in 1994. Having trees on 3 sides this area is very sheltered and so is used by many warmth-loving butterflies.

Maythorn out now!

With so much hawthorn on the reserve it's easy to take it for granted, but take a closer look at one of the mass of bushes flowering right now and their beauty will surprise you. The pure white petals and pink pollen-filled stamens - simple, but very beautiful!

Cowslips galore!

The cowslips planted along the old bypass beside the Itchen Navigation are looking at there best just now, especially when viewed from the entrance at Plaque Pits Valley beside St Catherine's lock.

This picture by Bari Glew shows the bypass land in front of the hill with summer flowers including yarrow ladies mantle and knapweeds. A little taster of whats to follow.