Martin Down Visit

I visited Martin Down – perhaps Hampshire’s most western reserve, ( It is right on the boundary of Hampshire and Dorset ) ,on the 30th May.  The day was fairly overcast and windy, and the normal numbers of butterflies that can be seen there were probably down in number due to this ( sheltering down low I expect ) & the cold spring.  The best part of the reserve for butterflies was the sheltered paths at the edge of the reserve, that abutted the farmland, where I found  a good number of Small Blues down in the grasses.

To give you an idea of what the reserve looks like here are a couple of pictures I took there on the day to show the landscape.

Firstly looking towards the farmland in the distance with the reserve in the foreground.

Martin Down
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/8, 1/640 sec, ISO400)
Martin Down

Then back from the same location in the opposite location looking in the direction of the car park on the A354.

Martin Down
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/11, 1/400 sec, ISO400)
Martin Down

Here are the best shots I got of the Small Blues.  I should also note that I was using a monopod for additional support for the first time on this trip.

Small Blue
Small Blue
Small Blue (2)
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO400)
Small Blue (2)
Small Blue (3)
Small Blue (3)

Martin Down – is not just a great reserve for butterflies – it is also great for flora.  I found this beautiful Heath Spotted Orchid near the earth mounds.

Heath Spotted Orchid
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/4, 1/500 sec, ISO400)
Heath Spotted Orchid

And nearby I battled the windy conditions to take this delicate Rock Rose.  A smallish flower that is just above the ground.

Rock Rose
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO400)
Rock Rose

Flowers that reside higher up were these tree blossom flowers.

Blossom
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/7.1, 1/400 sec, ISO400)
Blossom

The reserve is renowned for being home to Burnt Tip Orchids, and this years they were out in higher numbers than normal.  Here are a selection of individual and groups of these pretty plants.

Burnt Tip Orchid
Burnt Tip Orchid
Burnt Tip Orchid (2)
Canon EOS 760D (100mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO400)
Burnt Tip Orchid (2)
Burnt Tip Orchid (3)
Burnt Tip Orchid (3)
Burnt Tip Orchid (4)
Burnt Tip Orchid (4)

Map of Location

3 thoughts on “Martin Down Visit

  • May 7, 2018 at 8:13 am
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    Really nice images. The Early-purple Orchid is misidentified and is actually Marsh Spotted.

    Reply
    • May 7, 2018 at 8:16 am
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      Heath Spotted – sorry

      Reply
      • May 7, 2018 at 6:47 pm
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        Thank you for your comments and id on the orchid

        Reply

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