Badminston Common is a reasonably large recreation area near Fawley bordered
by private gravel works and fishing lakes. Combined with a wooded stream
and sheltered path margins the site provides a great diversity of species
roosting and feeding among the heather and gorse. Even the semi-wasteland
of old workings throw up some interesting delights such as Ruddy Darter
and migrant Red-veined Darters.
High populations of hawkers are usually
present with swarms of 50+ Migrant Hawkers a regular occurence,
although recently their prime breeding area has been
vivtim to the constantly changing topography of the
gravel pits themselves.
As of 2015 the south
section of the gravel workings are being prepared as a
nature reserve, with the large lake given over to
fishing. At present this area is still considered
private and the lake is likely to remain so. As for the
proposed nature reserve, I will publish more details as
they become available.
Update 2016
The main lake is now fully under the ownership
of the local fishing club, which means you are unlikely
to gain access without prior permission. The rest of the
site is still apparently undecided. Supposedly a
prospective nature reseve has now seen evidence of
further workings with signs to deter the general public.
This has always been an ethereal site which up to now
has provided some of the unexpected Hampshire species,
and hope we don't lose this valuable coastal location.
Park Here and walk south-west through the gate for the common or across the stile
to the left of the garage to walk between the gravel pits.
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