Pewit Island (Portsmouth Harbour)

Pewit Island is a small island in England located in the northwestern section of Portsmouth Harbour.^[1]

Pewit Island with the tide in

Historically it appears to have been connected to the mainland via a manmade shingle causeway, parts of which still exist.^[1] The island has been colonised by oak and blackthorn scrub and is home to species including sea lavender and golden samphire plants.^[2] The island is currently a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust nature reserve.^[3]

In 1857 plans drawn up to improve the defences of Portsmouth included building a fortification on the island.^[4] The plans were later modified in the face of improved artillery technology and the fortification was never built.^[4]