Districts:
Cherwell Parishes
South Newington
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
River Meadowlands
Site Code: 33W03
Area: 4.1 ha
This field has a variety of habitats. There is an old river channel with tall wetland habitat. This is dominated by reed grasses and has a good variety of wetland wildflowers including marsh marigold, yellow flag iris, water mint, cuckooflower and creeping jenny. This is an uncommon habitat type that is a national priority for nature conservation.
There is a bank at the southern end where there is grassland rich in wildflowers. Wildflowers that can be seen here include the colourful betony, devil’s-bit scabious and common spotted orchid. Lady’s mantle, which looks like a small version of the garden plant, is also present. This type of grassland is also a national priority for nature conservation. There are also wet marshy areas called flushes where spring water rises to the surface and spreads out over the ground. Here ragged robin can be seen along with the unusual bristle club-rush and bog stitchwort.
Rolling Village Pastures
Site Code: 43B06
Area: 3.7ha
This field has banks of grassland rich in wildflowers sloping down to a stream on the northern edge. The grassland is largely calcareous in nature as indicated by the presence of wildflowers such as wild thyme, rock-rose and salad burnet while the presence of lady’s mantle suggests some areas are more neutral in character. This is a result of different underlying rocks on the banks. Such grassland is a national nature conservation priority.