Districts:
West Oxfordshire Parishes
Bladon
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
Wooded Estatelands
Site Code: 41L02
Area: 97.3ha
Grid Ref: SP455138
This site is a large area of woodland. Parts of the site have been continuously wooded for at least 400 years and these are classified as ancient woodland. However this site is largely plantation with large amounts of conifers. There are remnants of old woodland composed of native trees and shrubs with woodland wildflowers such as bluebell and primrose. This type of woodland is a national priority for nature conservation.
Heathland has been present here in the past. It is not unusual for the acidic sandy soils typical of heaths to have been planted with conifers. Some remnants of heathland remain and there is potential that it could be restored here. Patches of heather have been seen occasionally. Many rare and scarce insects have been recorded at this site. These include the silver-washed fritillary and purple hairstreak butterflies. The site is also good for birds. All three species of woodpecker are present and this is one of few sites in Oxfordshire where woodcock nests.