East Heslerton Brow
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE926757 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 20.62 | 2013-10-31 |
| SE930758 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 19.53 | 2013-10-31 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Description East Heslerton Brow lies on the north facing escarpment of the Yorkshire Wolds and is unusual physiographically with a complex of spurs and small valleys which are the result of land slipping. The slopes support a chalk grassland community dominated by red rescue Festuca rubra with abundant hairy oat grass Avenula pubescens and meadow oat grass Alopecurus pratensis. Other components of the sward include yellow oat Trisetum flavescens, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha, sheep's fescue Festuca ovina, quaking grass Briza media and carnation sedge Carex flacca. Many typical herbs occur on the site including rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, and, notably, purple milk vetch Astraga lus danicus. This site is also rich in orchids which include twayblade Neottia ovata, fragrant Gymnadenia conopsea, pyramidal Anacamptis pyramidalis, frog Dactylorhiza viridis and bee orchid Ophyrs apifera. The grassland has been extensively colonised by hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. Other Information During the 1984 revision the boundary has been extended.* Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.