Wildflower Walk – Flora of West Hayling

Service Description

⏰10-12pm 💰FREE 📍Meeting place: Meet at the northern end of the Victoria Road car park just south of the Hayling Oyster Beds. 💯For anyone aged 16+ 🚽Please note that there are no public toilets on the route. 🐶Companion / assistance dogs only The western edge of Hayling Island is a treasure trove of wild plants. This walk will introduce a selection of late summer-flowering plant species of shingle and grassland. This will be a relaxing walk starting from the Hayling Oyster Beds and down the western edge of Hayling. There will be frequent stops to observe and photograph plants, and the general walking pace will be slow with regular stops. Distance will be dictated by what we find but the walk will be a maximum of c.4km. The walk is suitable for anyone with an interest in wild plants and other wildlife, and specialist knowledge is not required. There will be frequent opportunities to take photographs and simply enjoy the flora of this beautiful location. The walk will be led by Havant Borough Council’s Principal Ecologist, who is an experienced botanist and the South Hampshire vice county recorder for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. The route is generally flat (following the excellent Hayling Billy Trail) but with some occasional uneven sections across shingle and possibly wet ground. Appropriate footwear is needed. The habitat is exposed and with no cover from sunshine if conditions are hot – please dress appropriately, wear sunscreen, and bring sufficient water. No dogs please, unfortunately: the area supports very sensitive wildlife. Meet at the northern end of the Victoria Road car park. There are no parking charges. There is alternative free parking available just north of the Oyster Beds. It is a c.10 minute walk along the Billy Trail from here to the walk meeting point. (SU 71714 02987; W3W ///smart.home.worms).