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One day at Martin Down - an astonishing variety of birds, flowers and butterflies with Tom who had an unbelievably wide knowledge. Tom was perfect in every respect. Extraordinary knowledge delivered in an easy to understand way.
L.C. Dorset, June 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Martin Down, Hampshire (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR94A day exploring one of Hampshire’s premier wildlife sites in search of a wide variety of plants, farmland birds and downland butterflies.
1 days
from
£50
£50
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Join one of our expert guides (usually Prof Tom Brereton) in search of a wide variety of plants, farmland birds, downland butterflies and other insects at one of Hampshire’s premier wildlife sites, Martin Down, to the south-west of Salisbury. This 355-hectare National Nature Reserve (managed by Natural England) contains a mosaic of chalk grassland, scrub and woodland habitats. We will walk at a gentle pace across the Down and the adjacent Vern ditch, making frequent stops to observe the abundant flora and fauna. On our July visit we may hope to see specialities such Dark Green Fritillary, White Admiral, Turtle Dove, Hobby, Dwarf Sedge and Frog Orchid, whilst in August the focus will be on looking for Chalk Hill Blue, Adonis Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper, Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Bastard Toadflax and Lesser Centaury. A further bonus will be the rich archaeology that includes the prominent neolithic Borkerley Ditch.
- Dark Green Fritillary, White Admiral, Turtle Dove, Hobby, Dwarf Sedge and Frog Orchid in July
- Chalk Hill Blue, Adonis Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper, Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Bastard Toadflax and Lesser Centaury in August
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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The day trip at Martin Down was very enjoyable. The weather was perfect which encouraged butterflies to fly, and open their wings when settling on a flower. It may have been near the end of the season for many flowering species, but there was still much to see and admire. Tom was very knowledgeable and qualified, He made sure we all engaged, and enjoyed the day.
C.D. Dorset, Aug 21 -
Excellent day with 19 butterfly and 21 bird species seen as well as an abundance of botany. Well organised as usual, excellent tour leader, Tom Brereton and the weather was ideal. I know Martin Down from previous visits but it was so much better to spend a day with others and share our interest and expertise. I have now done five of Naturetrek's day trips and all have been excellent, well organised, knowledgeable tour leaders and interesting venues. Communication from Naturetrek both before and after the trips has been first class and I would highly recommend Naturetrek's programme of day trips.
P.W. Hampshire, Aug 21 -
Friendly knowledgeable leader who took time to make sure everyone could see all the plants, birds and butterflies that the site offers. Fantastic to see so many chalkhill blue butterflies at one spot. Other highlights included lots of frog orchids and a turtle dove sitting in the trees. Weather stayed dry with some sunshine later in the day.
D.L. Hertfordshire, Jul 21 -
We had a gentle walk around two parts of Martin Down (on the Hants/Dorset border). The cold spring meant that many of the flowers were late, but we saw some nonetheless, including a field carpeted with cowslips. The sunny weather on the day brought out many butterflies - our leader Tom did his PhD on Grizzled Skipper, but he also knows the birds and flowers, and importantly he knows the area well. We have had several very enjoyable Naturetrek holidays in Europe. With the Covid restrictions, they had the great idea of getting their tour leaders to lead day trips in the UK... This has opened our eyes to what is around "at home" - always assuming you have a Naturetrek tour leader on hand to take you to the best places and to tell you about what is to be seen and heard. Dealing with a company with an excellent reputation means that you can rely on them.
T.A. Buckinghamshire, May 21 -
This day trip to Martin down was led by Tom Brereton, on an overcast day, but we still saw plenty of birds and a few mammals. He is particularly good at flowers (about which I am woefully uninformed), but we saw some lovely flowers. The sweeping down covered with thousands (probably millions) of cowslips was breath-taking - I expected Julie Andrews to dance over the horizon singing!! With at least 3 species of orchid, and a rare butterfly. I would really recommend this trip. The numbers were within covid limits which is nice, and their company was a real bonus. Well done Naturetrek and Tom. Thank you.
L.K. Hampshire, May 21 -
We certainly did have a brilliant day on Monday. Tom was an absolutely fantastic guide and, with his immense knowledge, experience and enthusiasm, we were able to see over 20 different butterflies including Adonis Blue and countless special flowers including Frog Orchid. He brought Martin Down alive for us and we can’t wait to return to this unique part of the country.Please pass on our very sincere thanks to Tom for a very memorable day. Thanks, too, to you and all your colleagues at Naturetrek for arranging these special experiences. They certainly bring us much joy.
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 13th Aug – Wed 13th Aug
4
£50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tom Brereton
Tour Leader: Tom Brereton
Tom has had a lifelong passion for all forms of natural history, and a varied career in wildlife research and nature conservation spanning the last 15 years. After graduating in Environmental Science, Tom spent several years working for the RSPB on a number of bird, botanical and invertebrate survey and research projects. Following an MSc in Conservation at University College, he worked as an independent ecological consultant specialising in botanical surveys. Tom returned to academia in 1993, to complete a PhD on the ecology and conservation of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Tom currently works for Butterfly Conservation, as a monitoring and species ecologist, but remains an enthusiastic all-round naturalist, through extensive travel and involvement in a number of voluntary wildlife projects. Tom is active in local botanical, insect and bird surveys, and pursues his interest in seabirds and cetaceans as a founding director of the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (now Marinelife), which carries out research, conservation and educational work in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.
Thu 14th Aug – Thu 14th Aug
4
£50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tom Brereton
Tour Leader: Tom Brereton
Tom has had a lifelong passion for all forms of natural history, and a varied career in wildlife research and nature conservation spanning the last 15 years. After graduating in Environmental Science, Tom spent several years working for the RSPB on a number of bird, botanical and invertebrate survey and research projects. Following an MSc in Conservation at University College, he worked as an independent ecological consultant specialising in botanical surveys. Tom returned to academia in 1993, to complete a PhD on the ecology and conservation of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Tom currently works for Butterfly Conservation, as a monitoring and species ecologist, but remains an enthusiastic all-round naturalist, through extensive travel and involvement in a number of voluntary wildlife projects. Tom is active in local botanical, insect and bird surveys, and pursues his interest in seabirds and cetaceans as a founding director of the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (now Marinelife), which carries out research, conservation and educational work in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.
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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