Lower Test features
Habitats
- Unimproved water meadows are home to many invertebrates
- Reedbeds provide roosting and feeding sites for migratory birds
- The saltmarsh, subject to tidal influences, offers a unique environment for halophytic (salt loving) species which grow nowhere else
Things to look out for
- Two bird viewing screens
- New bird hide (open approx 9 am - 4pm daily)
- Boardwalks which facilitate access across wetter areas of the site
- Cattle and ponies graze the site for much of the year
Wildlife Highlights
- Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warbler
- Kingfisher
- Overwintering Wigeon and Teal
- Osprey on migration
- Salt water plant species including: Sea Aster, Sea Arrow Grass, Bulbous Foxtail, Spiked Rush and Sea Milkwort
- European Otter and Water Vole
Seasonal Information
Spring:
- Birds: Sand Martin, Water pipit, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Little Egret
- Butterflies: Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell
- Dragonfly: Emperor, Scarce Chaser, Banded Demoiselle
- Plants: Ragged Robin, Cuckoo Flower, Cowslip, King Cup, Marsh Valerian, Early Marsh Orchid, Green Winged Orchid, Adders Tongue Fern, Hairy Buttercup and Yellow Iris
Summer:
- Birds: Swallow, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge warblers, Snipe, Kingfisher, Raven, Peregrine
- Fish: Migratory Sea Trout
- Butterflies: Small Skipper, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper
- Dragonflies: Scarce Chaser, Emperor, Black Tailed Skimmer, Large Red Damselfly
- Plants: Yellow flag iris, Green Flowered Helleborine, Water Avens, Meadowsweet, Southern Marsh Orchid
Autumn:
- Birds: Redwing, Fieldfare, Starling, Migrant Osprey
- Butterflies: Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted lady
- Dragonflies: Common Darter, Migrant Hawker
- Plants: Sea Aster
Winter:
- Birds: Wigeon, Teal, Black tailed godwit, Greenshank, Curlew, Siskin, Lapwing, Bittern
- Fish: Migratory Salmon
