On 13th and 14th January Hampshire Conservation Volunteers will be working at Sandy Point Nature Reserve at Seafarers Walk on Hayling Island.
The site lies in the south-eastern corner of the island near the entrance to Chichester Harbour, and covers 17 hectares of grassland and scrub. It has a rich mosaic of grassland types, including the salty remnants of a creek, acidic sandy heathland, and chalky soil resulting from shell debris mixing with sand. Near the beach are vegetated sand dunes, though these are easily destroyed by storms. With no public access, fragile lichens are able to survive on the ground. More robust plants include Sea Holly and Sharp Rush, which has dangerously sharp points. The reserve is managed by Hampshire County Council with the help of cattle for grazing, and volunteers for controlling scrub. We will be cutting back gorse which can otherwise dominate other plants, starting at 10am and finishing by 3pm. If you would like to take part please contact Alan on 023 9232 5570, or see our website at www.hcv.org.uk