About

The Friends of Portsdown Hill host a guided walk on Thursday 5 June, all about Summertime on the Hill.

In summer, butterflies and orchids should abound and the flowers (and insects) of early summer should be on display. Spring has been rather dry this year but the seasonal indicators put in a welcome appearance. Cowslips flowered in their usual abundance and swallows have now been seen.

On this walk participants will look for the butterflies characteristic of chalk grassland, such as various Blues and the Marbled White, as well as some orchids. That said, all research suggests there are fewer species and fewer individuals of each species. Over recent decades biodiversity has been reduced as habitat is lost. It is difficult to appreciate how abundant wildlife was in the environment of our ancestors. There's a clue in the old song "Sumer is icomen in" with its refrain of "Sing cuckou"! You have to wait a good while to hear a cuckoo on Portsdown Hill nowadays...

Parking spaces are available between the fort and The Churchillian or at the viewpoint across the road. The walk will be led by Countryside Officer Richard Jones whose encyclopaedic knowledge of Portsdown Hill can usually identify most wildlife.

Please note this route is unsuitable for buggies.

Admission is free, but please go prepared for all weather - rain or shine!

Meet at 10am at the East Gate of Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road, Cosham PO6 3LS.