Districts:
Cherwell Parishes
Stoke Lyne
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
Farmland Plateau
Site Code: 52T06
Area: 15.3 ha
This site is ancient woodland which means it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600AD. It is one of the few ancient woodland sites in Cherwell Distinct. Large parts of the wood have a tree canopy of oak, ash and field maple while the shrubby growth below has a rich variety of species. On the ground carpets of bluebell and dog’s mercury can be found and in spring it has that typical bluebell wood appearance. This type of woodland is a national priority for nature conservation.
There are numerous woodland wildflowers including early purple orchid, primrose and wood anemone. Woodland such as this is a national priority for nature conservation. In the western part of the wood the main trees have been felled in the past and this area has been replanted with lime, poplar and conifers.
Wooded Estatelands
Site Code: 52U02
Area: 18.5 ha
This site is an area of ancient woodland which partly retains the composition of native trees and shrubs associated with old traditional woodland. Ancient woodlands are sites that have been continuously wooded since 1600AD. This type of woodland is a national priority for nature conservation.
The western part of the wood has many very large old oaks along with ash. Below this are areas of hazel coppice*. On the ground in this area are carpets of bluebells and dog’s mercury along with wood anemone, common spotted orchid and twayblade. There are wide grassy woodland tracks where greater butterfly and early marsh orchids grow along with wild liquorice, an uncommon species usually found in limestone grassland. There are also some wetter areas with bugle and yellow loosestrife.
In the eastern part of the wood this rich woodland type has been replaced by plantations of conifers and poplars and this area lacks the variety of species that can be seen in the western arm.
*Coppicing is a traditional form of management where small multi-stemmed trees and shrubs are cut down to the ground at regular intervals producing a harvest of small branches. This opens up the woodland and is beneficial for wildflowers and butterflies