Halling to Trottiscliffe Escarpment

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.3507, 0.4047

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (34) Unfavourable Declining (6) Unfavourable Recovering (7) Unfavourable No Change (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TQ618597 Favourable 4.79 2007-05-01
TQ621599 Unfavourable Declining 5.81 2022-03-04
TQ625603 Favourable 18.38 2007-05-01
TQ627605 Unfavourable Recovering 9.86 2022-03-04
TQ630607 Favourable 8.55 2007-05-01
TQ632607 Unfavourable Recovering 9.86 2022-03-04
TQ637610 Unfavourable Declining 2.76 2018-10-18
TQ639611 Favourable 17.63 2021-01-08
TQ641610 Unfavourable Recovering 3.2 2018-10-18
TQ644611 Favourable 4.65 2018-10-18
TQ647612 Favourable 3.12 2018-10-18
TQ649612 Favourable 4.2 2007-05-01
TQ656614 Unfavourable Declining 18.47 2018-10-18
TQ660616 Favourable 13.36 2007-05-01
TQ666620 Favourable 10.36 2007-05-01
TQ671623 Unfavourable Declining 13.95 2018-12-18
TQ671639 Favourable 9.77 2007-05-01
TQ673644 Favourable 6.3 2007-05-01
TQ674630 Unfavourable Declining 12.87 2018-10-18
TQ674633 Favourable 10.17 2011-11-25
TQ675624 Unfavourable No Change 4.58 2018-12-18
TQ675639 Favourable 18.74 2007-05-01
TQ675650 Favourable 21.55 2013-08-02
TQ676627 Favourable 29.75 2009-05-19
TQ678660 Favourable 7.11 2008-07-11
TQ679636 Unfavourable Recovering 10.09 2018-12-18
TQ680642 Favourable 21.81 2011-08-12
TQ681636 Unfavourable Recovering 3.29 2018-12-18
TQ681659 Favourable 10.2 2007-05-01
TQ682629 Favourable 18.25 2009-05-19
TQ682638 Favourable 9.29 2007-05-01
TQ682656 Favourable 10.39 2007-05-01
TQ683663 Favourable 17.56 2007-05-09
TQ684653 Unfavourable Recovering 17.95 2013-08-02
TQ684669 Favourable 34.04 2007-05-09
TQ685646 Favourable 29.61 2011-08-12
TQ685650 Favourable 15.29 2011-08-11
TQ687663 Favourable 8.28 2007-09-03
TQ688665 Favourable 8.28 2007-09-03
TQ689650 Favourable 24.79 2011-08-11
TQ689655 Favourable 21.96 2011-08-11
TQ694650 Unfavourable Declining 4.29 2018-10-18
TQ694653 Favourable 18.46 2009-05-19
TQ694661 Favourable 22.21 2011-08-11
TQ697654 Unfavourable Recovering 2.53 2013-08-09
TQ698655 Favourable 2.17 2013-08-09
TQ698656 Favourable 11.01 2011-11-25
TQ702661 Unfavourable No Change 19.83 2011-11-25
TQ703660 Favourable 7.36 2011-12-02

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Area, 648.41 ha. 1602.22 ac. Description This site consists of an extensive area of the North Downs west of the 'Medway Gap'. The site is representative of chalk grassland in west Kent and beech woodland on the chalk. Outstanding assemblages of plants and invertebrates are present. A mosaic of habitats is present at this site with areas of grassland, scrub and various types of woodland. The herb rich open downland is no longer grazed by stock and consequently only small areas remain. A full range of different types of scrub through to ash, yew and beech woodland is present. The woodland includes mature beech and yew on the steep slopes, oak standards and predominantly sweet chestnut coppice with some hornbeam on the more level higher ground; these two types of woodland support contrasting ground floras. The chalk grassland, on warm south facing slopes, is dominated by upright brome Bromus erectus and sheep's fescue Festuca ovina but supports many other plants which are characteristic of unimproved downland. Among these are dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and several species of orchid including the scarce musk orchid Herminium monorchis and man orchid Orchis anthorpophora. This range of food plants and the warm conditions are ideal for insects and the area is of great entomological importance. It is the only known location in Britain for the moth Hypercallia citrinalis and several other very scarce moths, beetles and grasshoppers also occur. Some of the scrub is of entomological interest; there is an uncommon bug Cacopsylla viburni which feeds on wayfaring tree for example. Overall hawthorn is the predominant species in the scrub but wayfaring tree and dogwood are also common. Climbers too are well represented with several rose species including the local burnet rose Rosa spinosissima as well as traveller's joy Clematis vitalba which is abundant. The later stages of scrub succession resemble woodland with increasing numbers of trees such as ash, yew and beech present in addition to the shrubs. The beech and yew woodland is on thin chalk soils and where the ground flora is not shaded dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis predominates. Associated with it is stinking iris Iris foetidissima and several very scarce species such as lady orchid Orchis purpurea and stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus. The ground flora of the plateau woodland is quite different with bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta most abundant and with other species such as rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium and bracken Pteridium aquilinum, these are generally restricted to non calcareous soils. The site supports a wide variety of birds with each of the habitats having its own characteristic community. Of greatest interest perhaps are the woodland birds; all three species of woodpecker breed here as do nuthatch and other hole nesting species. Hawfinch is present at a higher density than in most other parts of Kent.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
nuthatch Sitta europaea LC (Breeding) bird-nuthatch sittidae
bug Cacopsylla viburni Not listed in GB list bug psyllidae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
upright brome Bromus erectus Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata VU herb campanulaceae
rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium Not listed in GB list herb onagraceae
dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule VU herb asteraceae
foetid hellebore Helleborus foetidus LC herb ranunculaceae
musk orchid Herminium monorchis EN herb orchidaceae
horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa VU herb fabaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
stinking iris Iris foetidissima LC herb iridaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
man orchid Orchis anthorpophora Not listed in GB list herb orchidaceae
lady orchid Orchis purpurea NT herb orchidaceae
chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea VU herb polygalaceae
no common name Hypercallia citrinalis EN moth depressariidae
traveller's joy Clematis vitalba LC shrub ranunculaceae
burnet rose Rosa spinosissima LC shrub rosaceae

Plant communities

W12 — Beech wood

Fagus sylvatica-Mercurialis perennis woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Aesculus hippocastanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Buxus sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Daphne laureola, Carex flacca, Carex sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thamnobryum alopecurum, Tamus communis, Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Mycelis muralis, Solidago virgaurea, Cynoglossum officinale, Alliaria petiolata, Campanula trachelium, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum hirsutum, Iris foetidissima, Ajuga reptans, Glechoma hederacea, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Epilobium montanum, Cephalanthera damasonium, Neottia nidus-avis, Neottia ovata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus bulbosus, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium odoratum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

W13 — Yew wood

Taxus baccata woodland

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Buxus sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, Euonymus europaeus, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Mnium hornum, Fissidens viridulus, Brachythecium velutinum, Ctenidium molluscum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhynchostegium murale, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tamus communis, Arum maculatum, Eupatorium cannabinum, Inula conyza, Mercurialis perennis, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Fragaria vesca, Rubus fruticosus agg., Atropa belladonna, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Brachypodium sylvaticum

W14 — Beech wood, Wood pasture

Fagus sylvatica-Rubus fruticosus woodland

Hedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Ruscus aculeatus, Ligustrum vulgare, Carex remota, Carex sylvatica, Luzula pilosa, Mnium hornum, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Arum maculatum, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Hypericum pulchrum, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Epipactis helleborine, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Geum urbanum, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium odoratum, Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus giganteus, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

W15 — Beech wood, Wood pasture

Fagus sylvatica-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Calluna vulgaris, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ruscus aculeatus, Carex pilulifera, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum formosum, Tetraphis pellucida, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Lepidozia reptans, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia squamules, Lonicera periclymenum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Rubus fruticosus agg., Melanpyrum pratense, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas