Photo 1 - View looking West Along Original Unimproved Chalk Downland Part Of Reserve

Magdalen Hill Down is located just 2 miles from the historic city of Winchester (click for location map) and was once the site of the city’s ancient fair. The reserve is one of 3 in Hampshire managed by Butterfly Conservation, the others being Bentley Station Meadow and Yew Hill. The original western part of the reserve, comprising a steep south facing slope of unimproved chalk downland (photo 1), was aquired by Butterfly Conservation in 1989. The steep slope has never been intensively farmed (hence “unimproved”) and now careful management is ensuring it remains one of Hampshire’s best downland butterfly sites, despite its modest size. The eastern section of the reserve was arable farmland when acquired by Butterfly Conservation, but is now being returned to its former glory as flower rich downland, accompanied by a return of its butterflies.  A tree belt running north-south separates these two main sections. A north section has also recently been added, called North Down and it will be interesting to see how this contributes to the already great riches of the reserve in the coming years.

The reserve has several access points for the visitor. The original reserve can be accessed from the north via a footpath opposite St Swithin’s School (parking on verge) or from the south, which allows direct access to the bottom of the steep slope (park in lay-by on A31 opposite the Chilcomb turn). The extension can be accessed via the track leading up past the cemetary (map) and then west to the original reserve. There is a small car park opposite the cemetery in this case. This is the route I normally take, so will describe areas of the reserve in the order they are reached from this entrance

As you reach the top of this track at the entrance to the reserve, you will see the flower rich grassland of the extension spreading out in front (phot 2 below). The tree belt running north-south separating the extension from the original reserve can be seen to your right and represents the initial destination. The grassland of the extension and the paths along its top upper and lower edges are worthy of exploration. The path running west along the top is often productive in spring for patrolling Nymphalids (Peacock, Red Admiral) as well as Brimstones and Orange Tips, whereas Common Blue and Small Copper would be more typical along the lower edge. The lower path can be reached by continuing from the entrance gate straight down the gentle slope and turning right at the bottom. On the grassland itself, species such Meadow Brown and Marbled White are to be found in summer, when the extension is covered by a carpet of a downland flowers and long grass. In spring, whilst the grass is short, cowslips are predominant and there are fewer butterflies, however Dingy Skipper have occasionally been recorded here. Along the tree belt at the western edge of the extension, look out for the occasional Green Hairstreak (particularly towards the lower end), although you will have a better chance on the other side of this divide when you reach the original reserve. There are several places along the tree belt where one can cross through to the original part of the reserve. As you emerge onto the western side, the steep south facing down stretches out in front of you, as shown in the top photo. Whilst not obvious from this vista, the down contains a mosaic of habitats managed for the various butterfly species.

Whilst the lower slopes probably represent the best single area on the reserve, the higher slopes are by no means devoid of their share of butterflies, particularly Chalkhill Blue, more mobile species such as Brimstone and Nymphalids and common grassland species – and don’t miss the bronze age round barrows along the crest of the original reserve which provide a reminder of Magdalen Hill Down’s very long history.