Portsdown Hill
Portsdown hill runs from Bedhampton to the east and Fareham to the west. It is a chalk hill rising to about 360' above sea level. Most of the hill is a protected site as it is a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. Chalk is no-longer quarried from here but the site of the workings are now part of the beautiful walks. I have found the Little Blue butterfly here in large numbers (although only in the old quarry), Peregrine Falcons nest above the cliffs in the spring/summer, Buzzards and Kestrel soar on the thermals hunting for prey.
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Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)
This is the sole food plant of the Little Blue Butterfly (Cupido minimus). A large colony of Little Blues reside on the lower slopes of Portsdown Hill in what was the Chalk Quarry. These plants however also grow on the upper slopes of Portsdown but this area has not yet been colonised by this butterfly.
Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
Kidney vetch Anthyllis vulnerariaflowersnatureChalk QuarryPortsdown Hill
From Flowers
Ethan Winning
on April 24, 2010Ah, I see I've been here before. Might also mention that birds use some vetches for "down" to line nests. Am seeing a lot of that going on right now. I really do like this photo, and the vetch (there are so many of them) is one of the most colorful weeds around. The flower is so pretty, and the plant is so rangy. Too bad. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind having them take over the front yard ... such as it is.
Ethan Winning
on April 4, 2010Haven't seen this vetch (probably more vetches than any other plant), but I love it and the various colors and textures.