Southmoor Nature Reserve

Meadow pipit © David Kilbey

Meadow pipit © David Kilbey

Southmoor Nature Reserve

A coastal grazing marsh and a haven for birds

Location

Southmoor Lane
Havant
Hampshire
PO9 1JW

OS Map Reference

SU709051
A static map of Southmoor Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
11 hectares
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Entry fee

Donations welcome
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Parking information

Parking available on Southmoor Lane

Walking trails

Several public footpaths and permissive path cross the site, some are unsurfaced and can be muddy when wet. Please keep to paths to avoid disturbance to sensitive wildlife. The site floods at high tide, meaning some paths may not be passable.

Access

Contact the Trust for disabled access information

Dogs

Dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Visit in summer and look out for orchids, wildflowers, skylark, meadow pipit. Visit in winter to see Brent geese.

About the reserve

This coastal grazing marsh sits on the edge of Langstone Harbour, and is extremely valuable for birds. Skylarks use the marsh as a breeding site, and many waders and wildfowl roost here at high tide too. The scrub areas are home to many species of small birds, including linnets, greenfinches and goldfinches. The wet grassland is home to a diverse range of wildlife, and southern marsh orchids grow here in abundance.

Special Features:

  • The sea wall has been breached here, which is creating changes to the habitat due to sea water encroachment.

Contact us

Joe Rackstraw
Contact number: 07917 616696

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)