Districts:
Vale of White Horse Parishes
Woolstone
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
Chalk Downland and Slopes
Site Code: 38B01
Area: 1.2ha
The Berkshire Downs were once covered in chalk grassland. Now chalk grassland is restricted to steep banks and a few other sites including areas such as this at the edge of racehorse gallops. Chalk grassland is a national priority for nature conservation.
The shorter areas along mown tracks have the greatest variety of wildflowers including harebell, cowslip and field scabious. Much of the grassland is tall and unmanaged and these areas have less wildflowers. Butterflies present include marbled white. Skylarks and brown hare both use the site. Both are national priority for nature conservation due to the decline their numbers.