Lower Test Nature Reserve
Download a copy of the new Lower Test self guided trail leaflet and map.
Spring update
After a glorious March, the weather has turned much more typical in April and the early Spring activity has come to a halt. The cattle are gradually returning to the drier parts of the reserve to graze the first spring growth.
Winter wildfowl are being replaced by breeding waders such as lapwing and oystercatcher. Ravens call overhead and sand martins and swallows can be seen hunting over the meadows and meres. Inspite of the early warm spell, summer visitors are slow to arrive this year with sand martin numbers noticeably lower than the last few years. Look out for water pipits from the Test Way footpath.
On warmer sunny days butterflies such as orange tip, comma, brimstone and small copper are on the wing. Cuckoo flower and marsh marigold are abundant. The first green winged orchids are up in late April, with numbers expected into the hundreds by mid May. Soon the wet meadows will be full of flowers such as hairy buttercup, celery-leaved buttercup, marsh valerian, water avens, meadowsweet and the rare adders tongue fern.
The new design bird hide in the south of the reserve, was officially opened in March, funded by Viridor Credits Environmental Company through the Landfill Communities Fund and Wessex Land and Water. It is now open daily and can provide great views of kingfisher, little egret and nesting oystercatcher, as well as welcome relief from the heavy showers.
Special features
- 400 acres of designated SSSI, with European designations (part of the Solent and Southampton Water SPA and Ramsar, and the Solent Maritime cSAC) principally for its wintering wader and wildfowl interest
- Important for breeding birds including Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers
- Over 450 species of flowering plants recorded
Click here for more on wildlife and landscape features.
Getting Around
The Test Way long distance footpath crosses the reserve from the Salmon Leap pub in the south, continuing north along Mill Lane. The bird viewing screens and hide are accessible on foot from Compton Road and the A36 in the south, or via a permissive path across a boardwalk from the lane to the left of the Salmon Leap Pub on Testwood Lane. The footpaths are a mixture of boardwalks and unsurfaced paths which become muddy in winter, and can flood at high tides. Unfortunately due to the nature of the reserve, paths and kissing gates, disabled access is very limited. Click for a map.
Parking: Limited on road parking on Testwood Lane near the Salmon Leap Pub, with 2 access points onto the reserve via the lane to the left of the pub. Parking and a viewpoint is available at the ‘Old Redbridges', in an unsurfaced lay-by, off the A36 from Totton to Southampton.
Pedestrian Access: Available to the eastern side of the Reserve, crossing the railway line, at two points on Test Lane (accessed from M271). In the north, pedestrian access is via the kissing gate on the Test Way off Mill Lane.
Public Transport: Totton railway station is 0.5 miles from the reserve on the A36.
Dogs: Due to breeding and overwintering birds, dogs are only permitted on the Test Way footpath and must be under close control.
Tides: The reserve is tidal and footpaths and boardwalks regularly flood at high tide. Always check the tide timetables before starting out on a long walk .
Contact Information
For all reserve issues, contact the reserve officer on 02380 667919.
