Foxhole Heath, Eriswell

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.3736, 0.5500

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Suffolk County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TL736781 — Favourable 85.17 2009-11-04

Habitats

Upland acid grassland, Upland calcareous grassland

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
curlew Breeding
curlew Passage

Description

Area, 84.5 ha. 208.72 ac. Description Foxhole Heath, a Breckland heath, is largely covered by lichen and moss dominated heath, with smaller areas of calcareous grassland, acid grassland and heather heath. It supports three nationally and one locally rare plant species and more than one percent of the breeding population of a rare bird. The lichen and moss dominated heath is composed mainly of Cladonia spp and mosses such as Polytrichum piliferum and Dicranum scoparium. Scattered tufts of sheep's fescue Festuca ovina occur together with sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and lady's bedstraw Galium verum. Annual species are able to establish themselves in the sparsely vegetated ground and notable species include slender cudweed Logfia minima, shepherds cress Teesdalia nudicaulis and bird's foot Ornithopus perpusillus. The acidic grassland and heath areas grade from lichen dominated heathland and contain many of the same lichen and moss species. There are however some dense patches of sand sedge Carex arenaria in which little else grows. The calcareous grassland areas support a short, species rich turf, usually dominated by a combination of sheep's fescue Festuca ovina, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha and creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera. There are numerous other species associated with this turf including purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus, common centaury Centaurium erythraea, sheep's bit Jasione montana and larger wild thyme Thymus pulegioides. Much of the site is grazed by rabbits and this grazing has undoubtedly helped to check the invasion of gorse Ulex europaeus which is present along most of the western boundary. It also helps to prevent a build up of litter and to maintain the very low, open nature of the vegetation. By contrast, the use of part of the site as a holding ground for beef cattle has caused severe local damage. Foxhole Heath supports three nationally rare and one regionally rare plant species. It also supports more than one percent of the breeding population of stone-curlew, a bird given special protection under Sections 1 and 4 of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. Stone curlews also use the heath as a gathering ground in the weeks prior to their autumn migration.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus VU (Breeding) bird-stone-curlew burhinidae
creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha NT grass poaceae
purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus EN herb fabaceae
common centuary Centaurium erythraea LC herb gentianaceae
lady's bedstraw Galium verum LC herb rubiaceae
sheep's bit Jasione montana VU herb campanulaceae
slender cudweed Logfia minima LC herb asteraceae
bird's foot Ornithopus perpusillus LC herb fabaceae
shepherd's cress Teesdalia nudicaulis NT herb brassicaceae
large garden Thymus pulegioides VU herb lamiaceae
broom fork moss Dicranum scoparium LC moss dicranales
bristly hair cap Polytrichum piliferum LC moss polytrichales
sand sedge Carex arenaria LC sedge cyperaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae

Plant communities

CG9 — Limestone pavement, Lowland calcareous grassland, Upland calcareous grassland

Sesleria albicans-Galium sterneri grassland

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Carex capillaris, Carex caryophyllea, Carex eragrostis, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Kobresia simpliciuscula, Selaginella selaginoides, Rhodobryum roseum, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens dubius, Encalypta streptocarpa, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Homalothecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Neckera crispa, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Rhytidium rugosum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Tortella tortuosa, Barbilophozia barbata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Frullania tamarisci, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Scapania aspera, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pocillum, Cladonia rangiformis, Cornicularia aculeata, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Carlina vulgaris, Cirsium vulgare, Leontodon hispidus, Pilosella officinarum, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis alpestris, Cochlearia alpina, Draba incana, Campanula rotundifolia, Scabiosa columbaria, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia verna, Parnassia palustris, Helianthemum oelandicum icanum, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentiana verna, Gentianella amarella, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Epipactis atrorubens, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Polygala vulgaris, Polygonum viviparum, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Thalictrum minus, Dryas octopetala, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla tabernaemontani, Poterium sanguisorba, Asperula cynanchica, Galium sterneri, Galium verum, Saxifraga hypnoides, Viola hirta, Viola riviniana, Viola rupestris, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Sesleria caerulea

CG10 — Brownfield, Limestone pavement, Upland calcareous grassland

Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus praecox grassland

Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex demissa, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Bryum pallens, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens adianthoides, Fissidens osmundoides, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tortella tortuosa, Frullania tamarisci, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cetraria islandica, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Cirsium palustre, Hieraclium spp., Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Solidago virgaurea, Cardamine pratensis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentianella campestris, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Euphrasia scottica, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla wichurae, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla crantzii, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla sterilis, Rubus idaeus, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Galium sterneri, Galium verum, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Botrychium lunaria, Thelypteris limbosperma

CG11 — Upland calcareous grassland

Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grass-heath

Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Juncus trifidus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula spicata, Luzula sylvatica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Peltigera canina, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Gnaphalium supinum, Hieraclium spp., Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia sedoides, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Veronica serpyllifolia, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla crantzii, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Viola canina, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Botrychium lunaria, Thelypteris limbosperma

CG13 — Limestone pavement, Upland calcareous grassland

Dryas octopetala-Carex flacca heath

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Juniperus communis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Rubus saxatilis, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex rupestris, Schoenus nigricans, Luzula campestris, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens dubius, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Entodon concinnus, Homalothecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Neckera complanata, Neckera crispa, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Rhytidium rugosum, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tortella tortuosa, Frullania tamarisci, Plagiochila asplenioides, Scapania undulata, Cladonia rangiformis, Solorina saccata, Daucus carota, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Gentianella amarella, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Epipactis atrorubens, Neottia ovata, Orchis mascula, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Plantago media, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygonum viviparum, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Dryas octopetala, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Saxifraga aizoides, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Polystichum aculeatum

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

U2 — Brownfield, Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland acid grassland

Deschampsia flexuosa grassland

Betula pendula, Quercus hybrid, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Carex nigra, Eriophorum vaginatum, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus pyriformis, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum piliferum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Cladonia gracilis, Chamerion angustifolium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa annua, Pteridium aquilinum

U3 — Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland acid grassland

Agrostis curtisii grassland

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Hypochaeris radicata, Teucrium scorodonia, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum

U4 — Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland acid grassland, Upland calcareous grassland

Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland

Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Lophocolea bidentata, Conopodium majus, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Euphrasia officinalis, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lutea, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

U5 — Upland acid grassland, Upland calcareous grassland

Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum papillosum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia uncialis, Cirsium palustre, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum palustre, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Trifolium repens, Narthecium ossifragum, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant