1.1 General Descriptionpage 1

CONTENTS

1DESCRIPTIONpages 1-5

1.1 General Descriptionpage 1

1.2 Accesspage 1

1.3 Tenurepage 1

1.4 Geologypage 1

1.5 Historypages 1-2

1.6 Vegetationpages 2-4

1.7 Faunapages 4-5

2EVALUATIONpages 5-9

2.1 Introductionpage 5

2.2 Woodlandpages 5-6

2.3 Grasslandpages 6-7

2.4 Value in Wider Contextpage 7

2.5 Confirmation of Important Featurespage 8

2.6 Culturalpage 8

2.7 Amenity Valuepage 8

2.8 Conservation Managementpages 8-9

4MANAGEMENTpages 9-14

4.1 Aims and Objectivespage 9

4.2 Trendspages 9-11

4.3 Constraintspage 11

4.4 Management Prescriptionspages 12-14

5FIVE YEAR WORK PLANNERpages 15-16

TYTHERINGTON HILL

MANAGEMENT PLAN

1DESCRIPTION

1.1General Description

Tytherington Hill is situated in South Gloucestershire, in the parish of Tytherington. The site covered by this management plan is approximately 7ha in area. It occupies parts of the south-eastern slope and flat plateau of a ridge of Carboniferous limestone. The central grid reference is ST 676 888.

Management of the site is at present guided by a management plan drawn up in 2004, which followed on from a previous management plans prepared in 1998 and 1993. This document is an update and revision of the 2004 plan.

1.2Access

The site lies on the north-eastern edge of the village of Tytherington. A small road runs along the eastern edge of the site and there is also vehicular access to the grassland area at the top of the hill. Public footpaths cross the site and there are also several permissive paths - access from the road on the eastern boundary is open. There is a flight of steps at the north-eastern end of the site.

1.3Tenure

Most of the site is owned by Hansons plc and leased by Tytherington Parish Council; the southern end of the site is owned by the parish council. The hill is managed by South Gloucestershire Council and Tytherington Countryside Group. The woodland is subject to a Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Scheme.

1.4Geology

The under-lying rock across the site, which is exposed by several quarry workings, is Lower Carboniferous Limestone. The soils are free-draining calcareous brown soils, apart from in the bases of the quarries where furnace ash and other wastes were dumped.

1.5History

Several small quarries on the site were active until the 1930’s. Lime was produced in a lime kiln, which is situated on the eastern edge of the site and has been restored. Traces of an old bell pit can still be seen in a field on the opposite side of Baden Hill Wood.

The track through area 5 was formerly the main road to Gloucester, until it was diverted by the landlord to allow quarrying. There is a stone altar, which is used for an annual outdoor Easter service, just outside the site on Tytherington Common.

There is evidence that the woodland was coppiced, and the presence of several large beech trees suggests that some tree-planting was carried out in the nineteenth century.

The grassland on the top of the plateau is managed as part of a larger area of open grassland, associated with former Poor Law cottages.

The main aims of management on the site in recent years have been nature conservation and recreation, and management plans for the site were produced in 1993, 1998 and 2004.

1.6Vegetation

Plant species lists are included as appendix 1. Areas numbered below are shown on the enclosed map.

1.6.1Woodland

The majority of the site consists of woodland dominated by ash (Fraxinus excelsior), but there is considerable variation between different parts of the wood.

Areas 1 and 3 at the north-eastern end of the wood have tree canopies that include a good proportion of mature trees. In area 3 in particular pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is co-dominant with ash and there are also good quantities of field maple (Acer campestre). Area 3 also has a number of mature beech (Fagus sylvatica). These include a veteran tree with good quantities of dead wood and a large standing dead stump. The under-storey in the two areas is locally dense, with patches of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), good quantities of hazel (Corylus avellana) and, in area 3, wych elm (Ulmus glabra). Other under-storey species include holly (Ilex aquifolium), field maple and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). On the north-western edge of the wood the under-storey is more diverse and includes purging buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa). The ground flora in both areas is dominated by dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and ivy (Hedera helix) with patches of bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). A good variety of other species is present. These include woodland specialists such as ramsons (Allium ursinum), wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), wood melick (Melica uniflora), pignut (Conopodium majus), wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides) and early purple orchid (Orchis mascula). The last-named species is most frequent at the north-eastern end of area 1.

Through areas 2 and 4 the woodland canopy becomes progressively more scrubby towards the south-west. Ash is overwhelmingly dominant, except in the north-eastern part of area 2 where there are also trees of pedunculate oak and goat willow (Salix caprea). The canopy is fairly open and there are substantial patches of bramble. The understorey is sparse and dominated by hawthorn, with small quantities of other species including field maple and hazel. There is one clump of immature holly trees. The ground flora is overwhelmingly dominated by ivy and dog’s mercury. Woodland specialists are less frequent in these areas than elsewhere in the wood, but species such as early purple orchid, pignut and hairy brome (Bromus ramosus) occur in small quantities. Where the canopy has been opened up by tree-felling there are large quantities of goosegrass (Galium aparine), red campion (Silene dioica), wood avens (Geum urbanum) and herb robert (Geranium robertianum).

Quarries B, C, D and E form part of the woodland area. The rock faces of the quarries support reasonably large populations of wood melick and of several fern species, including polypody (Polypodium interjectum) and black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum).

1.6.2Grassland

There are three main areas of grassland on the site: in quarry A; in the clearing at the north-eastern end of area 2; and in area 5 on the top of the hill.

The bottom of quarry A supports a variety of sward types. Much of the area consists of a very short, sparse sward that is very rich in herb species. The most frequent grass species here are red fescue (Festuca rubra) and creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera). Frequent herb species include dovesfoot cranesbill (Geranium molle), long-stalked cranesbill (Geranium columbinum), bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and marjoram (Origanum vulgare). Species present in smaller quantity include thyme-leaved sandwort (Arenaria serpylifolia), carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris), hairy violet (Viola hirta) and mouse-ear hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum). There are also areas of taller grassland; some of these are dominated by upright brome (Bromopsis erecta) and others by cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). Herbs present in these areas include ploughman’s spikenard (Inula conyzae), meadow-sweet (Filipendula ulmaria), common gromwell (Lithospermum officinale) and musk mallow (Malva moschata).

The slopes of the quarry have a mixture of unwooded habitats and scrub. The open habitats consist of a mixture of tall herb, tall grassland, sparse grassland and open rock. The most frequent grass species is upright brome. Herb species include ploughman’s spikenard, marjoram and bird’s-foot trefoil, with large quantities of thyme (Thymus polytrichus) at the top of the slopes.

The clearing within area 2 supports grassland dominated by upright brome and tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum). This is very herb-rich with good quantities of burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), common gromwell, salad burnet, common milkwort (Polygala vulgaris) and bird’s-foot trefoil. Species present in smaller quantities include devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), betony (Stachys officinalis), pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and ploughman’s spikenard. Scrub and young trees are encroaching across parts of the area, with large quantities of ash and hawthorn.

Some grassland persists along the footpath and on the upper faces of the quarry between areas 1 and 3. Plants present here include pyramidal orchid, ploughman’s spikenard and hawkweed (Hieracium sect. vulgatum).

Most of area 5 consists of short grassland that has been agriculturally improved and is also frequently driven over by vehicles visiting the farm. This grassland is dominated by perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) with other grass species including soft brome (Bromus hordaceus) and red fescue. Herbs here include species of improved grassland such as white clover (Trifolium repens) and short ruderals such as shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) and common field speedwell (Veronica persica).

The south-eastern fringe of area 5, adjacent to the woodland, has a band of taller grassland. Much of this grassland is dominated by red fescue and false oat-grass with patches of upright brome. Sweet vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and crested dogstail (Cynosurus cristatus) are locally frequent. Herb species scattered throughout this grassland include ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), sorrel (Rumex acetosa), burnet saxifrage, germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum). At the south-western end of the area there are several small patches of short grassland, which are heavily grazed by rabbits. These are herb-rich, with locally frequent species including sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and mouse-ear hawkweed.

In the northern part of area 5 there is a patch of tall grassland adjacent to the area of scrub. The mix of grass species here is similar to that in the previous area, but it is less herb rich. There are, however, reasonable quantities of lady’s bedstraw, greater knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa), pignut and germander speedwell and smaller quantities of bird’s-foot trefoil, salad burnet and meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis).

1.6.3Wetland

There was previously a pond in the northern part of area 5. This has been lost to a combination of shading, siltation and dumping and is now overgrown by scrub.

1.7Fauna

1.7.1Birds

A bird species list is included as appendix 2. The density of birds in the wood is high. Woodland specialists recorded include sparrowhawk, treecreeper, green woodpecker, great-spotted woodpecker, tawny owl and chiffchaff. Species associated with scrub and woodland edge habitats include bullfinch, garden warbler, whitethroat and willow warbler.

1.7.2Mammals

There are three badger setts within the wood, one of which is very large with several active entrances and signs of recent digging. Grey squirrels are frequent in the wood and roe deer were seen. Rabbits are present in the grassland areas, although there is evidence that they are less numerous than previously.

1.7.3Reptiles

Slow worms are present on the edges of the grassland in area 5. There are old records of grass snake and adder from this part of the site.

1.7.4Invertebrates

Insect species lists are attached as appendix 3. Two moth trapping sessions were carried out, in 2000 and 2001, in area 5. Over 120 species of moth were recorded, with species dependent on woodland, scrub and grassland all represented. The species recorded include four species of hawkmoth - hummingbird hawk, lime hawk, elephant hawk and small elephant hawk.

Butterfly species present in the woodland include orange tip and speckled wood. Species associated with grassland areas include common blue, marbled white and small copper.

Other groups of insects are much less well recorded, but glow-worms are present in the grassland in area 5 and several species of hoverfly have been recorded.

2EVALUATION

2.1Introduction

The various habitat types on the site have been assessed using standard ecological criteria such as rarity, diversity and fragility. This chapter also includes a trends section, which assesses changes in the site’s flora and fauna and impacts of management.

2.2Woodland

The most valuable woodlands in nature conservation terms are ancient woodlands, as they generally support a wide range of plant and animal species that do not occur in woodlands of more recent origin. The age of woodlands can be assessed from the presence of ancient woodland indicator plant species, which are more-or-less restricted to ancient woodlands.

None of the plant species recorded here is exclusively restricted to ancient woodlands, but several of the species present, including bluebell, wood anemone, ramsons, wood spurge, wood melick, early purple orchid and yellow archangel, are linked to ancient woodlands. The overall species diversity and the size of the populations of some of these species suggest that at least the north-eastern part of the woodland is ancient. Two Avon Notable plant species (as defined in the Flora of the Bristol Region) were recorded in the woodland. These are black spleenwort, which is locally frequent on several of the quarry faces, and common gromwell, which grows alongside several of the paths. The oak-dominated parts of the woodland are unusual in a local context, since most woodlands in the Bristol region are dominated by ash.

The value of the woodland for insects is likely to be limited by its small size, since many woodland insects are restricted to large woodlands. However, the moth list does include several species that are woodland specialists, such as the lobster, dusky thorn, peach blossom, sandy carpet and Acleris forsskaleana. The value to insects of the scrubby habitats on the edges of the wood is highlighted by the moth list, since several of the less common species are dependent on this habitat type. These include blue-bordered carpet, brown scallop, barred yellow, haworth’s pug, pretty chalk carpet and scorched carpet. Several of the moths recorded at Tytherington Hill are now BAP species due to recent declines in population; woodland BAP species include dot moth, dusky thorn and grey dagger and scrub species include pretty chalk carpet. There are some habitats in the wood that are likely to be of value for other groups of insects such as beetles, notably several standing stumps of beech.

Bird populations in the wood are large and include some woodland specialist species such as sparrowhawk, green and great-spotted woodpeckers. Several of the birds recorded in the wood are of conservation concern due to recent population declines; these include green woodpecker, song thrush, dunnock, willow warbler and bullfinch.

Most of the woodland on site is of nature conservation value in the context of South Gloucestershire. Its value increases towards the north-eastern end of the wood, where the area with frequent oak trees is of nature conservation value in a county (i.e. the former County of Avon) context.

2.3Grasslands

The grasslands on site are of value because most areas have not been farmed using modern methods. In particular they have not been treated with fertilisers and there are nutrient-poor soils and sub-soils. The swards that have developed on these soils, even where these are derived from artificial substrates as in the former quarries, support a very wide range of plants. Many of these species, including black knapweed, bird’s-foot trefoil and glaucous sedge, have become much less widespread as the vast majority of their habitat has been lost as a result of agricultural intensification and are now restricted to the small areas of traditionally managed grassland, known as unimproved grassland, that survive. The vegetation of the areas varies, as follows:

The clearing in area 2 supports 20 species of unimproved grassland. These include species such as devil’s-bit scabious, betony and common milkwort that are strongly linked to unimproved grasslands. The area also supports good populations of seven species that are defined in The Flora of the Bristol Region as being Avon Notable Species: common calamint, common gromwell, common milkwort, hybrid cinquefoil, pyramidal orchid, zig-zag clover and tor-grass.

The grassland on the slopes of area 5 supports 19 species of unimproved grassland and three Avon Notable Species: common calamint, sheep’s sorrel and smooth tare.

The grassland in quarry A supports 27 species of unimproved grassland and eight Avon Notable Species - these are pyramidal orchid, carline thistle, blue fleabane, fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), long-stalked cranesbill (Geranium columbarium), common gromwell and viper‘s bugloss (Echium vulgare).

Comparison of these lists shows that the particular interest of the areas is surprisingly different, particularly in terms of Avon Notable Species. This means that although the total area of grassland on the site is small, a very high diversity of species is present.

The grasslands have several features that suggest value for invertebrates, such as a variety of flowering plants, a variety of sward heights, patches of bare ground and associated woodland and scrub. The only groups of insects that have been well surveyed at the site are butterflies and moths. The butterfly list includes grassland specialists such as common blue, marbled white and small copper. The moth list contains several grassland specialists, including dotted rustic, middle-barred minor, small elephant hawk-moth and small yellow underwing. The least common species recorded on site is the micro-moth Hypochalcia ahenella, which has not been recorded anywhere else in the former County of Avon. The habitat requirements of this moth are not well known, but it occurs on “dry, stony ground with sparse vegetation: chalk downs, railway banks, quarries, in southern half of England.” (B Goater, British Pyralid Moths). Several of the grassland moths are now listed as BAP priority species due to recent declines in population; these species include cinnabar, small square-spot and shaded broad-bar. Glow-worm is a declining and threatened species and its presence here is of significance, and a reflection of the value of the site’s grasslands for insects.