Lower Test Valley is a 142-hectare (350-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Totton in Hampshire.[1][2] It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site[3] and Special Protection Area,[4] and of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.[5] It is a nature reserve managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.[6]

Lower Test Valley
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationHampshire
Grid referenceSU 364 144[1]
InterestBiological
Area142.0 hectares (351 acres)[1]
Notification1986[1]
Location mapMagic Map

The valley has extensive reed beds, tidally flooded creeks, unimproved grassland and scattered willow trees. More than 450 flowering plants have been recorded, including the nationally rare green-flowered helleborine. The reed beds have large populations of wetland breed birds.[7]

There is no access to the reserve at high tide.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Lower Test Valley". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Map of Lower Test Valley". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent and Southampton Water". Ramsar Site. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent and Southampton Water". Special Protection Areas. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Designated Sites View: Solent Maritime". Special Areas of Conservation. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Lower Test". Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Lower Test Valley citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

50°55′41″N 1°28′59″W / 50.928°N 1.483°W / 50.928; -1.483