Arreton Down Wildlife Reserve
The chalk downland is part of the main chalk ridge which runs across the island from East to West. The down is an SSSI as it supports a population of Great green bush crickets, a large cricket often found in summer clambering around in the scrub grassland margins. The males can also be heard in the evenings making a loud harsh song. Bastard toadflax a low growing, yellow green, semi parasitic plant which scrambles through the chalk loving sward with small white five petalled flowers.
Calcareous grassland / wildflowers
The down holds a great variety of wildflowers, with some areas on Arreton reckoned to contain around 30 species per square metre. The best chalk grassland holds up to 40 (remember that's species not just individual plants!!). There are good displays of yellow, Horseshoe and Kidney vetch.
The downland is managed by being grazed through the winter by some 18 cattle; the animals not only graze the fine herb rich open grassland but also push into the scrubbier places and rougher grassland helping to break up this less desirable sward. Some open ground is also created as the beasts make their way along the down to the water trough and this allows different plants to seed into the disturbed ground.
Scrub/woodland
When controlled properly, the scrub edge to the downland is a valuable habitat for nesting birds and shade loving plants. It also provides a valuable corridor for Red squirrels to gain access to new areas to forage. The mix of Ash, Hazel, Field Maple, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bramble etc forms a band of shelter from the prevailing wind so creating warm areas which benefits the many butterflies present.
Butterflies/invertebrates
Throughout the year the grassland hosts a good number of butterfly species including Common blue, Brown Argus, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Large, Small, Dingy and Grizzled skipper, Green hair streak, Marbled white, occasional Clouded yellow, and with a spectacular emergence of Chalkhill blues in August.
Birds (resident /migrants)
Regulars on the down are Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Green woodpecker, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Lark, Meadow pipit, Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Wheatear, an occasional pair of Ravens, Turtle dove and Rooks from a Rookery at the Western end of the down.
Archaeology
Arreton is dotted with Barrows and Holloways, and finds of ancient artefacts have been made. It is worth remembering that the down is protected and that metal detecting and digging is not allowed! Any archaeological investigations should only be undertaken by professionals with full permission of the Wildlife Trust and Natural England.
Views
There are pleasant views from the higher parts of the down, looking out over the East Yar valley and south to the Wroxall and Ventnor downs then further west toward St Catherine's down, East along the chalk ridge to Culver down and West following the ridge towards Newport then Chillerton and beyond towards West Highdown and the Needles.
Access
The down can be accessed in several directions: From the west at sz533874 this kissing gate (only) is accessible for mobility buggies with the use of a RADAR key, the parking here however is very limited to the southern side of the old chalk pit entrance. There is a stile further down Downend road this is not recommended as the road here is narrow with no footpath and fast traffic!
To the south of the down a footpath is located in the village of Arreton, beginning by the white lion pub, there is parking opposite the pub at approx sz534866 this route passes the old church and manor then gently climbs through fields to a kissing wicket at the foot of the down.
Further to the east a footpath leaves the village crossing the Bembridge trail and enters the reserve at approx sz540870.
Lastly on the Northern edge of the down just off the downs road there is another kissing wicket at approx sz541872
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment