Hangman's Wood & Deneholes

Also within

Essex County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Ancient woodland

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Description Hangman's Wood deneholes, the remains of medieval chalk mines, provide the most important underground hibernation site for bats in Essex. Three species have been recorded; Brown longeared bat Plecotus auritus, Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri and Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii. Numbers of bats recorded have increased steadily since human access to the site was limited in 1985 and a total of 62 was recorded early in 1991. Hangman's Wood itself is included within the SSSI, as an area of semi natural habitat in which bats can feed. It is a relict fragment of ancient woodland, dominated by pedunculate oak Quercus robur, ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus with occasional wild cherry Prunus avium and elm Ulmus sp. The shrub layer has largely been removed and the ground flora contains few indications of the wood's age, as a result of amenity management. Typically, the woodland floor is dominated by such widespread plants as smooth and rough meadow grass Poa pratensis and Poa trivialis, cock's foot Dactylis glomerata, cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, common nettle Urtica dioica and bramble Rubus fruticosus agg.

Species mentioned