Districts:
West Oxfordshire Parishes
Fulbrook
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 Slopes and Valley Sides
Site Code: 21M02/1
Area: 4ha
This site is a small steep sided valley that supports limestone grassland which is a national priority for nature conservation. The south west facing slope has the best areas of limestone grassland with wildflowers such as salad burnet, harebell, rock-rose, fairy flax and small scabious as well as an abundance of the colourful purple flowered common knapweed. There are some gorse bushes indicating that in places the soils are far more acidic.
The north east facing slope has rough coarse grassland with few limestone grassland species. The bottom of the valley has patches of nettles and dense grass indicating a build up of nutrients enriching the soil - which reduces the number of wildflowers. The uncommon Duke of Burgundy fritillary butterfly has been recorded here in the past.
River Meadowlands
Site Code: 21V01/2
Area: 6.6 ha
This field was once the location of watercress beds. Now it is a wet field next to the River Windrush with ditches and a large seasonal pool. It provides good habitat for wading birds. Lapwings have nested here in recent years and redshank have nested here in the past. The numbers of wading birds such as this have declined significantly in the UK and they are classed as birds of conservation concern. Wet grassland habitat such as is found here is a national nature conservation priority.
The ditches support a range of wetland wildflowers such as gypsywort, yellow flag iris and brooklime as well as patches of reed grasses.