Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve

Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve is a large coastal wetland in Hampshire. It covers 738 hectares along the south coast from Keyhaven past the Lymington River. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust manages the site. It forms part of several protected areas including the Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site. The reserve also belongs to two Special Areas of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The marshes support a wide range of wildlife. Peregrine falcons, marsh harriers and merlins hunt over the saltmarshes. Black-headed gulls and sandwich terns feed on fish in the shallow waters. Salt-tolerant plants such as yellow-horned poppies, sea campions and sea aster grow in the mud. Two areas within the reserve are designated Local Nature Reserves. No public paths or viewing points exist on the site. The marshes remain undisturbed by visitors.