A guide to the wildlife of Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve

Established by the government to protect habitats, wildlife and geology, National Nature Reserves are vital for the conservation of nature across England. They act as outdoor laboratories to learn more about the natural world – for everyone from scientists to school children. Hampshire Countryside Service manages five National Nature Reserves, each with their own unique ecosystems of plants and animals.

Situated in the east of Hampshire near Petersfield, Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve is a woodland of beech, ash, and yew trees. In fact, the reserve gets its name from its landscape, deriving from the Old English word ‘hangra’, meaning ‘wooded slope’. The chalky hillsides provide the ideal environment for unique plant life which you’ll be able to spot in abundance on your visit.

Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

Growing in many parts of the country, the pyramidal orchid requires a specific fungus to be present in the soil and prefers chalky grasslands. It blooms in the summer, when you’ll be able to see spikes of up to 100 magenta flowers forming the shape of a pyramid. This wildflower attracts a variety of butterflies and moths, and its shape is well-suited to the proboscis of these insects.

Best time to see: June and July

Conservation status: common

Common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium)

The near-threatened common rock-rose maintains a healthy population in Ashford Hangers’ chalky grasslands. The undersides of the leaves are covered in white woolly hairs and, throughout the summer months, the plant continuously produces blooms of sunny-yellow flowers.

Best time to see: June and July

Conservation status: Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

This low-flying butterfly is often found around woodlands and chalk downlands. It can be tricky to spot while in flight but can be seen when perched upon twigs or feeding on purple flowers. The grizzled skipper takes its name from the black and white checked pattern on its wings.

Best time to see: April – June

Conservation status: Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages)

A warmth-loving butterfly that can often be found basking on sun-warmed stones, it prefers to feed on yellow flowers and tends to reside in chalk downlands. Identified by its brown and grey markings, the dingy skipper loses its scales throughout its life, which is where it gets its name.

Best time to see: May and June

Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor)

This small bird is about the same size as a sparrow and is the least common variety of woodpecker found in Britain. The lesser spotted woodpecker has a black and white head and wings, with males also having a red crown. It can be tricky to spot as it feeds and nests in the tops of the trees but be sure to listen out for the sound of drumming from up above.

Best time to see: January – April

Conservation status: Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021). Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Marsh tit (Poecile palustris)

Not to be confused with a willow tit, this small bird is mostly brown with a shinier black cap and neater black bib below the chin. The marsh tit nests in existing tree holes rather than making their own. Feeding on insects, seeds and berries, and they are known to create stores of food if they find a good supply, and have an excellent ability for remembering things.

Best time to see: Year-round

Conservation status: Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021). Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)

With golden brown fur, large black eyes and long tail, the nocturnal hazel dormouse grows up to just 9cm long. Because of this, they can be tricky to spot, sticking mainly to branches of tree canopies, only making their way to the ground to hibernate. Here at Ashford Hangers, we’re carrying out seasonal surveys as part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme.

Best time to see: April – October

Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.