Streatley Warren
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU552808 | — | Favourable | 23.97 | 2023-09-22 |
| SU558806 | — | Favourable | 7.28 | 2023-09-22 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop · Rock Type: Chalk
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| blackcap | Breeding |
| lapwing | Breeding |
| lesser whitethroat | Unknown |
| whitethroat | Unknown |
| willow warbler | Breeding |
Description
Description The site consists of the head of a dry chalk valley situated in the Berkshire / Oxfordshire downs, an area now largely converted to intensive arable farming. More than half the site comprises unimproved flower rich chalk grassland which has been maintained by grazing. This habitat is now very rare in Berkshire where a survey in 1985 found that only about 180 hectares remain, equal to less that 0.5 percent of the chalk outcrop in the county. The site provides important habitats for insects and birds. The unimproved grassland occurs mainly on the steeper slopes, consisting of an intimate mixture of grasses, sedges and broad leaved herbs, many of which are typical of chalky or dry soils and are rarely found in other types of habitat. Examples include frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and harebell Campanula rotundifolia. Present also is the early gentian Gentianella anglica, a rare species endemic to the British Isles and virtually restricted to southern chalk. Characteristic grasses comprise red and sheep's fescue Festuca rubra and Festuca ovina, quaking grass Briza media, hairy oat grass Avenula pratensis and crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha. These are fine leaved species forming a close knit turf, particularly in well grazed areas. Upright brome Bromus erectus is abundant in less grazed areas. Herbs common and widespread over the area include glaucous sedge Carex flacca, hoary plantain Plantago media, stemless thistle Cirsium acaule, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, wild thyme Thymus praecox and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. Other species include squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and fairy flax Linum catharticum, which occur more commonly in the shorter turf; and black knapweed Centaurea nigra, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga and wild basil Origanum vulgare which are plentiful in the upright brome dominated areas. The diversity of plant life provides food and nectar sources for insects and other invertebrates. Butterflies recorded include marbled white, small heath, ringlet and common blue. The abundance of ant hills over parts of the site indicates long continuity of the turf. Birds feeding and nesting in the open grassland include skylark, grey partridge and lapwing; the last preferring the plateau areas. Areas of scrub consist of native shrubs and trees, including whitebeam, hawthorn, buckthorn and elder. Juniper, an evergreen coniferous shrub, occurs naturally here in its only Berkshire locality. The shrub is inhabited by a variety of bird species, including willow warbler, blackcap, lesser whitethroat and yellowhammer.
Species mentioned
Show the 32 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yellowhammer | Emberiza citrinella | LC (Breeding) | bird-bunting | emberizidae |
| grey partridge | Perdix perdix | VU (Breeding) | bird-game | phasianidae |
| skylark | Alauda arvensis | VU (Breeding) | bird-lark | alaudidae |
| willow warbler | Phylloscopus trochilus | LC (Breeding) | bird-warbler | phylloscopidae |
| blackcap | Sylvia atricapilla | LC (Breeding) | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| whitethroat | Sylvia communis | Not listed in GB list | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| lesser whitethroat | Sylvia curruca | Not listed in GB list | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| meadow oat grass | Avenula pratensis | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| quaking grass | Briza media | VU | grass | poaceae |
| upright brome | Bromus erectus | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| sheep's fescue | Festuca ovina | LC | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| crested hair-grass | Koeleria macrantha | NT | grass | poaceae |
| lady's fingers (kidney vetch) | Anthyllis vulneraria | NT | herb | fabaceae |
| squinancywort | Asperula cynanchica | VU | herb | rubiaceae |
| harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | LC | herb | campanulaceae |
| black knapweed | Centaurea nigra | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| dwarf thistle | Cirsium acaule | VU | herb | asteraceae |
| frog orchid | Dactylorhiza viridis | VU | herb | orchidaceae |
| dropwort | Filipendula vulgaris | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| autumn gentian | Gentianella amarella | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| early gentian | Gentianella anglica | Not listed in GB list | herb | gentianaceae |
| fragrant orchid | Gymnadenia conopsea | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| rough hawkbit | Leontodon hispidus | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| fairy flax | Linum catharticum | LC | herb | linaceae |
| wild marjoram | Origanum vulgare | LC | herb | lamiaceae |
| burnet saxifrage | Pimpinella saxifraga | NT | herb | apiaceae |
| hoary plantain | Plantago media | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |
| salad burnet | Poterium sanguisorba | VU | herb | rosaceae |
| small scabious | Scabiosa columbaria | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| creeping thyme | Thymus praecox | Not listed in GB list | herb | lamiaceae |
| glaucus sedge | Carex flacca | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
Plant communities
OV3 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed less fertile acid, Pond ditch and canal
Papaver rhoeas-Viola arvensis community
Show 52 indicator speciesBryum erythrocarpum, Phascum cuspidatum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis arvensis, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Eupatorium cannabinum, Matricaria discoidea, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, Sisymbrium officinale, Valerianella locusta, Arenaria leptoclados, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene latifolia, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Geranium dissectum, Epilobium hirsutum, Papaver argemone, Papaver dubium, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Veronica triphyllos, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Aphanes microcarpa, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Chara vulgaris
OV4 — Arable
Chrysanthemum segetum-Spergula arvensis community
Show 56 indicator speciesBryum rubens, Daucus carota, Artemisia vulgaris, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Brassica rapa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Raphanus raphanistrum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica arvensis, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis
OV7 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Veronica persica-Veronica polita community
Show 41 indicator speciesAethusa cynapium, Cirsium arvense, Conyza canadensis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Diplotaxis muralis, Erucastrum gallicum, Lepidium coronopus, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Lamium amplexicaule, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris
OV8 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Veronica persica-Alopecurus myosuroides community
Show 41 indicator speciesAethusa cynapium, Anthemis cotula, Cirsium arvense, Lapsana communis, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Trifolium repens, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Chara vulgaris
OV9 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Matricaria perforata-Stellaria media community
Show 76 indicator speciesJuncus bufonius, Bryum rubens, Dicranella staphylina, Kindbergia praelonga, Barbula unguiculata, Phascum cuspidatum, Tortula intermedia, Riccia sorocarpa, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Lapsana communis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Tussilago farfara, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sisymbrium officinale, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Fumaria officinalis, Geranium molle, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium montanum, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus arvensis, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Hordeum vulgare, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris
OV10 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Poa annua-Senecio vulgaris community
Show 74 indicator speciesBryum argenteum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis cotula, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio squalidus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tussilago farfara, Myosotis arvensis, Alliaria petiolata, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Erophila verna, Lepidium coronopus, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria officinalis, Eriodium cicutarium, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago media, Veronica arvensis, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis
OV11 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Poa annua-Stachys arvensis community
Show 61 indicator speciesBryum erythrocarpum, Dicranella staphylina, Pleuridium subulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortula truncata, Daucus carota, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio sylvaticus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Kickxia elatine, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Aphanes microcarpa, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis
OV13 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay
Stellaria media-Capsella bursa-pastoris community
Show 59 indicator speciesArctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica napus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium bonus-henricus, Chenopodium rubrum, Chenopodium urbicum, Calystegia sepium, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium album, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus myosuroides, Anisantha sterilis, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Chara vulgaris
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix 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
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera 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
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera 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