Photo 1 - Unique Area Of Coastal Heath Beside The Solent

Highlights

Unique coastal heath habitat close to the Solent with views to the Isle of Wight

Includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest noted particularly for its unusual coastal flora

Flourishing colonies of Grayling and good variety of common butterfly species

Green Hairstreak and White Admiral present

Occasional access restrictions due to military training

Description

 

Browndown is on MOD land on both sides of the B3333 between Lee-on-Solent and Gosport. Browndown South (Photo 1 above), on the coastal side of the road, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) particularly noted for its unusual variety of  coastal flora. Browndown North, on the inland side of the road, is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Browndown South, sometimes known as Browndown Ranges, consists of loose shingle beach backed by a mosaic of heathland, stable shingle, rough grassland and scrub, bounded to the north by an embankment of shrubs and trees. The area was used many years ago as a proving ground for military hovercraft and is still used occasionally today for military training (when access is restricted). At the eastern end there is a very visible military presence in the form of a TA centre and enclosed shooting range behind a high redbrick wall. Nowadays, Browndown South is more noted for its varied range of unusual flora which include Little Robin, Burnet Rose, Slender-flowered Thistle and Nottingham Catchfly and of course its colony of Grayling butterflies.

 

Browndown South can be approached from either the east or the west, although I recommend access via its western end for a butterfly walk (see also the footnote at the bottom of the page about the eastern approach). Park at the pay and display car park on Marine Parade East (arrowed on this map) and make your way on foot towards the seashore. The entrance is located close to the end of the MoD fence - then follow the path along the rear of the site, below the embankment. As you make the decent down the first section of this path, look ahead eastwards and you will see in the distance the redbrick structure of the current shooting range, which is your destination for the Grayling colony.

 

Follow the path east looking for other butterflies amongst the shrubs on the embankment and in the rough grass/scrub on the right. Depending on time of visit, species to look for include Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small/Essex Skipper, Marbled White, Small Copper, Holly Blue, as well as Vanessids such as Red Admiral, Comma and Painted Lady. As one goes further east towards the shooting range wall,  areas of heather amongst the shingle and scrub become more evident on the coastal side of the path. The Grayling colony is directly in front of the high wall - photo 2 below shows the area which is also arrowed on this map. Grayling are typically on the wing here from the second week in July and through August. One could be forgiven for thinking the main need of these butterflies is to remain invisible, flying fast and low when disturbed only to settle again a few yards further on, using their perfect underside camouflage to 'disappear'. The return can be made along the seashore, which is actually part of the long distance footpath called the Solent Way, or by retracing steps.

Photo 2 - Grayling Area In Front Of The High Wall Of The Shooting Range

Browndown North is also worthy of a visit and is accessed via a gate on the other side of Marine Parade East (arrowed here). There is very limited off road parking beside the gate and it is usually better to use one of the side streets. Browndown North also has a colony of Grayling (take first turn right once inside the gate to an area of heathery heath), however the butterflies emerge a few days later here than on Browndown South.

Many common species can also be found on the site including Common Blue and Small Heath. A visit to Browndown North during May is also worthwhile - Green Hairstreak can sometimes be found amongst the gorse, close to the track running north from the entrance. More recently White Admirals have been appearing (late June/early July) in the copse at the northern extremity and seem to be gaining a foothold, despite this being a fragment of woodland by their normal standards.

Footnote: Access to Browndown South can also be made from the east (along the Solent Way long distance footpath) and is actually a slightly shorter route to the Grayling colony. However for the benefit of the unenlightened, this route passes beside a naturist section of beach.