Portsdown Conservation Volunteers
A local conservation group that work towards
conserving a fascinating site
Main text by Richard Jones
Portsdown Countryside Project Officer.
Portsdown is the seven mile chalk escarpment that fills the horizon
immediately to the north of Portsmouth. The scrub and grassland mosaic
that make up much of its southern slope is home to a wide range of
wildlife. Orchids, bush crickets and butterflies are frequently
encountered - as are the Portsdown Conservation Volunteers.
My what a view - but what are those people doing?
The ridge of the Hill is a popular place to admire striking seascapes or take
in the pleasing scene provided by the Forest of Bere as it sweeps northwards to
the South Downs. The more observant visitors on Wednesdays and some Sundays
will also spot conservation
volunteers going about a valuable task that helps safeguard the Hill's wildlife
or improves access. The picture shows volunteers at work on 28th Feb
2002.
The PCV work closely with Portsmouth City Council's Portsdown Hill Countryside
Service which is based at Fort Widley - one of the Victorian hill forts that
dominate the Hill. A major aim of the volunteer group is to return large
expanses of Portsdown to species-rich downland at the expense of scrub and
rank grass that is spreading fast. Most people who have had anything to do
with conservation work in the past will instantly realise this is a recipe for
endless scrub bashing. For those reluctant to tackle dense hawthorn stands there
are some points to bear in mind. Whilst it is true that 'justifiable aboricide'
(
scrub
clearance) is a regular feature of our winter task programme, it is reassuring
to know that the work is done in conjunction with grazing. The reintroduction of
cattle and recent trials of goats means that scrub tends not to grow back (they
eat it) and there are cattle round up tasks to look forward to. 
The PCV get stuck into anything
Of course, it is not all chopping down prickly bushes for the PCV. Haymaking
tasks add diversity to local meadows. Hedge-laying and hedge-planting regenerate
lost habitats on adjacent farmland. Paths, stiles and gates are built to
improve access. We have cleared tons of choking silt from Hookheath pond,
without finding a single trace of the horse or cart, or indeed the driver that
allegedly sank there.
Volunteering takes many forms
As with any group that concentrates its efforts in a distinct locality there are
opportunities to monitor the benefits that conservation work bring.
Volunteers carry out butterfly transects, insect and bird surveys as well as
recording the effects of grazing on the vegetation.
Pictures of volunteer activity are often
on the main Portsdown page.
The PCV meet every Wednesday and one weekend a
month, call 023 9238 9623 for more information or come along to the east gate of
Fort Widley next Wednesday.
A lot of our recent work has been hedge laying and here is Rosemary a relatively new volunteer working on her bit of hedge.
