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Having had to cancel a trip abroad due to the latest UK COVID rule changes, I booked a day out in the Hampshire countryside with Naturetrek. I came across them through their fantastic live, online bird-watching sessions in Panama and Ecuador. I thoroughly enjoyed my day trip. I'm not so much into birds but we saw some fantastic orchids, were given plenty of information about the history/geology of the area and a lovely walk (around 8 miles). Pleasant company. Well worth it. Organisation was seamless after last-minute booking.
J.G. Surrey, Jun 21
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Historic Selborne and mid-Hampshire (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR93Explore the charming countryside surrounding the historic village of Selbourne, and the richness of habitats in this corner of Hampshire, including both Beech woodland and chalk grassland.
1 days
from
£60
£60
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Selborne is synonymous with the grandfather of modern natural history, Gilbert White, who was curate here in the 18th century. Both the village and the landscapes that we will visit today are virtually unchanged since his time. Led by naturalist Martin Pitt, we will follow a circular path taking in the Zigzag, Selborne Hanger, Selborne Common, owned and managed by the National Trust, and Noar Hill, managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust; all areas that show the richness of habitats in this corner of Hampshire, including both Beech woodland and chalk grassland species. We expect to walk around 6 miles during the day, some of it uphill, though of course we will stop frequently on the way. We run this tour throughout the spring and summer, so please click on 'detailed information' to read about seasonal highlights.
- Explore Selborne's Zigzag, Hanger, Common and Noar Hill
- Chalkland orchids, flowering helleborines and Autumn Lady's Tresses
- Such butterflies as Brown Hairstreak and Duke of Burgundy
April - May
We will be expecting the Common to be in full song, and we will look for Firecrest in addition to a mix of warblers. The grasslands should have come into flower with swathes of Cowslip, Early Purple Orchid and other chalk grassland species. A key focus will be the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, and we will also seek out other butterflies including Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper.
June
Although birds will be getting quieter, we still expect to find a good mix of species included Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat. This is the time for orchids and we will expect to find all the chalk grassland species, keeping a special eye out for the Musk Orchid, as this area is a stronghold of this diminutive species. Dark Green Fritillaries should be on the wing and a good mix of butterflies and dragonflies should be found.
August - September
At this time of year we will be particularly on the lookout for late flowering helleborines and the diminutive Autumn Lady’s-Tresses. Butterflies can be plentiful and we will search for the scarce Brown Hairstreaks in the Blackthorn hedges. Overhead, Red Kites and Ravens may be joined by a dashing Hobby and there could well be early autumn migrants passing through. A good mix of dragonflies including the Small Red-eyed Damselfly will be sought.
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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Thank you and Martin Pitt, such a knowledgeable guide, for our Historic Selborne day. I live only a sort distance away from Selborne, learned so much about the geology, flora, fauna, made all the more interesting by history of the area and Gilbert White and how differently we look at things today. I hope to come on more explore days. Excellent value.
S.S. Surrey, Apr 21
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 29th Apr – Tue 29th Apr
SPACES
£60
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£60
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Martin Pitt
Tour Leader: Martin Pitt
Martin has had an interest in wildlife since an early age and, although he worked in development and consultancy across the globe, he has always kept this interest going. He has been leading tours for Naturetrek, both in the UK and overseas, since 2017.
Primarily interested in birds and mammals, his time living in the Middle East (a year in the UAE and 2 years in Israel) gave him a deep love of desert ecosystems. More recently, he has spent an increasing amount of time focused on butterflies and dragonflies. He is the author of the ‘Crossbill Nature Guide to Southern Morocco’ and as of 2023 he is also the Bird Recorder for Hampshire.
Martin has led a number of tours, including day trips and weekends in Hampshire and the adjacent areas, as well as tours overseas including Austria, Ethiopia, France, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Spain and Uzbekistan.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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