Farlington Marshes, Hampshire.

Farlington Marshes in Hampshire has to be one of my favourite places in Hampshire. It has pretty much everything going for it, including wildlife, countryside and coast. The marshes are owned by the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight wildlife trust, covering around 300 plus acres of the northern reaches of Langstone Harbour, near Portsmouth.

Farlington Marshes reed beds.

Personally, i enjoy coming here at any time of the year as there is always something different to see through the seasons. The landscapes are constantly changing, with the tides revealing mudflats and reed beds at low tides. Low tide is the best time to visit as i think it gives you more to see in terms of wildlife that come to feed on the mud dwelling creatures among the eelgrass and algae.

During the Autumn months the marshes are visited by large numbers of Brent Geese, overwintering on the marshes where food and shelter is easily found. To see the Brent Geese arrive or take off at once is quite a sight, and i enjoy seeing them on a yearly basis. The reserve is also important for other species of birds at other times of the year, such as Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail and Widgeon.

Mud Flats. Easy food for passing wildlife.

Easy walking paths surround the reserve.

 There is a good solid and level walking path that surrounds and criss crosses the reserve, and even a small area for car parking that is easily accessible from the nearby M27. the walk, at a guess, is around one and a half to two miles long, and is a blast of fresh sea air when you feel the need to get away from it all. Not only is it a place to see the wildlife, but a great place for plant and insect life during the Spring and Summer months, that is just as important to the local ecology. I enjoy Farlington Marshes, and will continue to do so. i very much recommend it.

Paul Martin. http://www.media-attention.co.uk