Future looking bright for South Downs nature reserve
June 10, 2025
The future of a stunning nature reserve in the National Park has been secured thanks to a new lease agreement.
Butterfly Conservation has agreed with landowner The Church of England to keep managing the precious habitat at Magdalen Hill Down for at least another 10 years.
The iconic reserve, just east of Winchester, has been transformed by Butterfly Conservation staff and volunteers over three decades from scrub and farmland into the highest-quality chalk grassland, home to rare and unusual butterflies and moths.
Most recently, the South Downs National Park Trust has helped to install a new dew pond at the site through the “Pounds for Ponds” campaign and support from BMW UK through National Parks Partnerships (NPP).
A recent survey included whirlygig and great diving beetles, the larvae of dragonfly and damselfly along with water boatmen and pond skaters
Julian Bendle, Butterfly Conservation Senior Land Use Officer, said: “Almost lost to scrub in the late 1980s, Magdalen Hill Down has been transformed into one of Hampshire’s richest chalk grassland butterfly sites, with more than 30 different butterfly species recorded annually, including many rarities.
“Restoration work on one area of the site has transformed it from intensive arable production to flower-rich grassland and it is now one of the top ten sites in the county for many butterfly species.”
Alongside its conservation work, Butterfly Conservation uses the site to educate the local community about the importance of conservation including a Youth Rangers programme.
Site manager Fiona Scully added: “The new pond here will increase biodiversity and add an attractive feature for visitors to enjoy as well as offering engagement opportunities through pond-dipping activity.”