COUNTRY LIFE
Photo: Thrift, Sea-lavender Fa mily, by Phil McLean
5) The Island’s soft cliffs are the only
native British home for the Glanville
fritillary butterfly. These small orange and
brown butterflies fly in May and June.
6) Over 120 species of ant, bee and
wasp make their homes on these soft
cliffs. The soft clays and sand, water
seepages and varied nectar sources make
this an ideal habitat for mining bees and
Photo: Ribwort plantain by Alex Cruickshank
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife
Trust, working for a better future for
wildlife and wild places in Hampshire
and the Island.
Phone: 01489 774 400
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.hiwwt.org.uk
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife
Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane,
Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP
June/July 2016_MASTER .indd 83
potter wasps. Twenty-eight invertebrate
species on the cliff-top vegetation are
nationally scarce or rare.
7) Surprisingly, plant communities
found on the cliff-face look nothing
like those on the cliff-top. Plants able
to withstand the unstable nature of
eroding cliffs replace the relatively stable
maritime grassland communities. So
thrift and wild carrot give way to coltsfoot
and ribwort plantain.
8) Rapidly declining breeding birds
such as skylarks, meadow pipits,
yellowhammers and linnets feed and
make their nests in the cliff-top grassland.
In winter, golden plovers, lapwings and
other wading birds use the cliff-tops to
feed.
Photo: Brown hare by Da mian Waters
Join us today and enjoy the benefits of being a member of
the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust:
• Unlimited visits to 57 wildlife reserves in Hampshire and the Isle
of Wight and 2,500 reserves nationwide.
• A welcome pack when you join.
• Wildlife, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s magazine,
delivered to you three times a year.
• The chance to take part in local group and community activities,
offering you a variety of opportunities to be involved in. More than
350 walks, talks and events throughout the two counties.
• Join by Direct Debit & receive your FREE full colour Local Wildlife
Reserve Guide.
www.visitilife.com
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