Alan Benson who recently talked to the club about the wildlife on Salisbury Plain is showing us the faboulous Keyhaven Marshes.
The size of the reserve is about 200 hectares and sits between the mouth of the Lymington river and Keyhaven.
There is no entrance fee but you will need money for parking or the ring-go parking app.
The reserve itself is a birdwatchers and photographers paradise with fantastic views across the marshes to the Isle of White. Paths lead round some areas of the marshes and salt lagoons which were formed from the manufacture of salt. With the Solent way running the length of the reserve, here you can get good view of the wintering waders and wildfowl. There are also several circular walks on local paths that cross the area.
The lagoons are some of the most important in Britain with rare species including Foxtail stonewort, Lagoon Shrimp and scarlet Sea-Anemone.
Among the birds we can expect to see are Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Teal, Widgeon, Spotted Redshank, Avocet, and spoonbill. Brent Goose, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser and Slovenian Grebe some of which can be seen from the sea wall. You also might be lucky to see a Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin and Shortened Owls have been seen.
Also in Spring Betti’s Warbler, Reed Warbler and Bearded Tits can also be found in the reed beds.
You might also see a few New Forest Ponies.
The only toilets are in Keyhaven.
Sunset is at 6.17pm.
