Districts:
Cherwell Parishes
Shutford
The following wildlife habitats fall within this parish. They are listed according to their associated landscape type or local character area.
If you want more information about any of the sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) listed below, take a look at English Nature's Nature on the Map website. It may also be possible to find out a bit more about the unnamed wildlife habitats in the parish by contacting the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (owls@oxfordshire.gov.uk) and quoting the site code next to the habitat description.
The majority of these wildlife habitats are on private land and access to them is not possible without permission of the landowner, unless there is a statutory right of way. However, many wildlife habitats in the county are open to the public. More information on these can be obtained from the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum.
Wildlife Habitats
Rolling Village Pastures
Site Code: 34V01
Area: 17.3ha
This site lies in a valley through which a small stream flows. There are banks with flower rich grassland, which although essentially neutral in character, range from fairly acidic to quite calcareous. In the bottom of the valley the grassland is wet and marshy and there are also areas of tall wetland vegetation. All these habitats are a national nature conservation priority.
Grassland wildflowers that can be seen include betony, tormentil, harebell and devil’s-bit scabious. On the more limey soils salad burnet, wild thyme and the large blue flowered meadow crane’s-bill can be seen. Gorse bushes are found where the grassland is more acidic and dogwood where it is more calcareous. Wildflowers in the marshy meadows and tall wetland include marsh marigold, ragged robin and common spotted orchid. There are also some ponds with a good range of aquatic plants. Along the stream there are many oak, willow, alder and ash trees sometimes forming small areas of woodland.
The endangered water vole has been recorded here while there is a good variety of birds including kingfisher, snipe and woodpeckers.