Dinmore Hill Woods

Also within

Herefordshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Sandstone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Description An extensive area of mixed native broadleaved woodlands overlying rocks of the Old Red Sandstone. It forms one of the largest continuous blocks of deciduous woodland in this part of the county. The soils which range from acid to alkaline and front wet to dry gives rise to a diverse woodland structure. Most of the upper plateau is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea woodland. In some areas this is associated with field maple Acer campestre and in others with ash Fraxinus excelsior. Other species include hazel Corylus avellana and the locally rare wild service tree Sorbus torminalis. In the woodland on the slopes, ash tends to become more dominant, often in association with birch Betula pendula on the drier areas and alder Alnus glutinosa in the wetter areas. In the south eastern part of the site is an extensive area of wild cherry Prunus avium and ash with a hawthorn Crataegus monogynand hazel understorey. The variety of soils give rise to a similarly diverse ground flora which includes bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, great butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, stinking iris Iris foetidissima and spurge laurel Daphne laureola. The woods have a rich fauna which includes fallow deer Dama dama. They provide an excellent habitat for birds that breed in woodland such as buzzard Buteo buteo, great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major and tree creeper Certhia familiaris.

Species mentioned