BOAs - Berkshire LNP
Originally included in the Oxfordshire Conservation Target Areas as Blewbury Downs South East and encompassing the Berkshire Downs area to the south east of Blewbury as far as Streatley. The area has been extended south towards Basildon to include further areas of steep chalk slopes in order to form a sensible boundary with the contiguous Yattendon and Basildon Woodlands target area.
The total area of the BOA is 2610ha, of which 104ha are Sites of Special Scientfic Interest (SSSI) and 243ha are Local Wildlife Sites.
Joint Character Area: Berkshire and Marlborough Downs
Geology: Chalk
Topography: Steep banks on the Berkshire Downs escarpment and dry valleys that cut into the escarpment.
Biodiversity
Chalk Grassland: Extensive areas along banks throughout the area. Some restoration work has also taken place.
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland and Beech Woodland: One large site in Oxfordshire with both types of woodland. There is also woodland at Streatley and some plantations.
Species: Stone Curlew target area. An important area for butterflies. An important area for arable wildflowers.
Access: The area is crossed by the Ridgeway and other byways and bridleways. It includes the National Trust land at Streatley.
Targets and opportunities: Chalk grassland management and restoration. Management of arable land for farmland birds and arable wildflowers. Woodland management.
If you would like to get involved with projects in this BOA please contact us for current opportunities.
The total area of this BOA is 2466ha, 194ha of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and only 34ha are Local Wildlife Sites. The western section of the escarpment running from Letcombe to the county boundary, divided into two core sections that correspond to the areas identified in the AONB Chalk Grassland report. These sections have the main areas of chalk grassland and significant archaeological features such as Uffington White Horse and Castle, Wayland Smithy and Segsbury Camp. The area extends south of the most steeply sloping escarpment to the Ridgeway. It also includes slopes along hills running south into Berkshire, in the vicinity of Seven Barrows, and land including Kingston Down and Ashdown Park. Besides the further areas of chalk grassland this section is rich in archaeological features.
Joint Character Area: Berkshire and Marlborough Downs.
Landscape Types: Chalk Downland Slopes.
Geology and geomorphology: Chalk with a number of coombes.
Topography: A north and north west facing escarpment and east and west facing steep banks in the southern area.
Biodiversity
Chalk grassland: Extensive areas of chalk grassland at White Horse Hill and Hackpen Hill. The main site in Berkshire is at Seven Barrows while there are remnants in some other locations.
Woodland: The main sites are near Uffington, within the SSSI and at Ashdown Park. There are a few plantations.
Parkland: Ashdown Park has some good veteran trees and includes an SSSI for the lichen flora on sarsen stones.
Species: the arable land supports a good flora and the area is good for farmland birds. Stone curlew have been recorded in this area.
Geodiversity: there are a number of sites with sarsen stones including Ashdown Park and Parkfarm Down. Uffington Hill has important geomorpholoical features associated with the coombes.
Access: Open access at Whitehorse Hill. A number of areas are included in Countryside and Rights Of Way Act. The Ridgeway and other bridleways. There is also some access on National Trust land at Ashdown Park.
Targets and opportunities: Chalk grassland management and restoration. Protection of archaeological and geological features. Management for arable wildflowers and farmland birds. Veteran tree and woodland management at Ashdown Park.
If you would like to get involved with projects in this BOA please contact us for current opportunities.
Although this area is not included in the regional Biodiversity Opportunity Area map, it is valued as an important area for Berkshire's wildlife so is a local BOA. The area covers just 24ha in north-west Slough, but of this 14 ha are Local Wildlife Sites.
Joint Character Area: Thames Valley
Topography: A narrow shallow valley bottom running north-south.
Biodiversity
Fen and Reedbed: Haymill Valley Nature Reserve supports areas of reedbed and fen.
Woodland: Cocksherd Wood LNR, at the north end of the site, is the main area of woodland in the area while wet woodland dominated by willow is found in Haymill Valley Nature Reserve.
Access: The whole area has open or controlled access.
Targets and Opportunities: Woodland, wet woodland and fen management. Hydrological protection in an urban location. Improve biodiversity of urban park. The area is managed by the Slough Borough Council, Evergreen 2000, and BBOWT. The central area is an urban park. Consider potential links to sites in Buckinghamshire such as Burnham Beeches.
A partnership is working to improve the area and the local people who use the area. This partnership currently includes: Slough Borough Council; Evergreen 2000; Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust; Britwell Parish Council; The Friends of Haymill Valley; Parish Councillors and members of the Britwell Neighbourhood Action Group.
If you would like to get involved with projects in this BOA please contact us for current opportunities.
This area encompasses the extensive gravel pits near Wraysbury and the large reservoirs in the area including those at Staines in Surrey.
Joint Character Area: Thames Valley
Geology: Alluvium and river valley gravel known as Shepperton Gravel.
Topography: this area is flat, except for the man made embankments surrounding the reservoirs.
Biodiversity
Standing Water: extensive areas in the reservoirs and gravel pits. Includes Staines Moor SSSI and Wraysbury Gravel Pits SSSI. These areas are important sites for birds. Also included is the Arthur Jacobs Nature Reserve.
Lowland meadow and wet grassland: extensive areas of wet grassland has developed on infilled land that is now part of Wraysbury Gravel Pits SSSI. There is lowland meadow habitat at Staines Moor SSSI.
Other habitats: around the gravel pits there are areas of woodland, fen, wet woodland, rough grassland, scrub and tall herb. The River Colne and the Colnbrook flows through the area.
Access: A few sites are accessible such as Arthur Jacobs Reserve and areas at Staines Moor. There are bird watching viewpoints on some of the reservoirs.
Targets and opportunities: management of gravel pits and reservoirs for birds. Management of associated habitats and management of grassland habitats. Potential for biodiversity gains with future mineral extraction.
If you would like to get involved with projects in this BOA please contact us for current opportunities.
The total area of this BOA is 760ha, of which 10ha are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 25ha are Local Wildlife Sites.
It encompasses the main group of Thames Valley grasslands in East Berkshire, along with gravel pits at Bray, the Eton Rowing Lake and adjacent country park. It extends northwards to include Dorney Common, in Buckinghamshire, and a section of the Jubilee River and adjacent land near Slough Sewage Works. The area within Buckinghamshire is indicative only.
Joint Character Area: Thames Valley
Geology: Alluvium and sand and gravel.
Topography: Flat riverside land.
Biodiversity
Lowland Meadow: Includes a variety of sites with lowland meadow habitat including Bray Meadows SSSI, Bray Pennyroyal Field and Sutherland Grange LNR. Near Eton there are a number of meadows with remnants of lowland meadow habitat. Includes the extensive area of Dorney Common in Buckinghamshire. There are areas of recreated grassland habitat at Braywick Park LNR and adjacent to the Jubilee River.
Gravel Pits: The group of pits at Bray, which includes Bray Pit Nature Reserve along with Eton Rowing Lake and the adjacent pits in the country park provide good habitat for birds.
Other habitat: There is a small area of parkland along with planted scrub and wood at Braywick Park. There is a small area of fen near Eton. There are areas of wet woodland near the river in the east.
Species: There is further ornithological interest along the Jubilee River especially for wading birds and Kingfishers. Water Voles are also found here. The area is also important for Barn Owls.
Access: There is extensive access to the areas at Eton and Dorney, much of which is commonland. Elsewhere there is access at Braywick Park LNR, Sutherland Grange LNR and the Country Park next to the rowing lake. The Thames Path goes through the area.
Targets and Opportunities: Management and restoration of lowland meadow habitat. Management of gravels pits. Creation of fen habitat. Dorney Common and areas at Eton are common land. Management for barn owls including nest boxes. The Environment Agency has been involved in habitat creation along the Jubilee River. Braywick Park and Sutherland Grange are LNRs. The Country Park, next to Eton Rowing Lake, provides good opportunities for habitat creation. Part of the area near Holyport is being considered for mineral extraction. There is potential to include additional areas in Buckinghamshire such as proposed gravel extraction areas near Taplow.
If you would like to get involved with projects in this BOA please contact us for current opportunities.