Blaxhall Common: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Blaxhall Common - geograph.org.uk - 1015053.jpg|200px|right|thumb]] |
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'''Blaxhall Common''' is a |
'''Blaxhall Common''' or '''Blaxhall Heath''' is a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) and a [[nature reserve]] in the parish of [[Blaxhall]] in the [[Suffolk Coastal]] district of the [[English county]] of [[Suffolk]]. The reserve is owned by Blaxhall Parish Council and managed by [[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]].<ref name=swt>[http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves-and-visitor-centres/blaxhall-common Blaxhall Common], Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2013-01-28.</ref> The reserve is within the Blaxhall Heath SSSI and is also designated as a [[Natura 2000]] site. |
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==Location== |
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The site is located on the Suffolk Sandlings, an area of sandy soil and glacial geology stretching along the Suffolk coast from [[Ipswich]] to [[Southwold]].<ref name=suff>[http://suffolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/suffolks-lovely-sandlings-20359/ Suffolk's lovely sandlings], ''Suffolk'', East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 2013-01-28</ref> The traditional land cover was lowland dry [[heathland]], but much of this landscape has been destroyed with isolated areas, such as at Blaxhall, surviving.<ref name=suff /><ref name=sssi>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003460.pdf Blaxhall Heath], SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 2013-01-28.</ref><ref name=swtsand>[http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/living-landscapes/sandlings-heaths-and-forests/ Sandlings heaths and forests], Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2013-01-28.</ref> |
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Blaxhall Common is around {{convert|1|mi|km}} east of Blaxhall and {{convert|2|mi|km}} south-west of [[Snape, Suffolk|Snape]] on the B1069 road between Snape and [[Tunstall, Suffolk|Tunstall]]. It is {{convert|5|mi|km}} south-west of [[Leiston]] and {{convert|8|mi|km}} north-east of [[Woodbridge, Suffolk|Woodbridge]]. It falls on the edge of the [[Suffolk Coast and Heaths]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] (AONB). |
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==Plant and wildlife== |
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The heath is mainly heathers with a mosaic of heather and acidic grassland habitats.<ref name=sssi /> The Silver-studded blue butterfly was reintroduced at the site in 2007.<ref name=bbc22apr10>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/suffolk/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8637000/8637480.stm Suffolk Wildlife Trust's silver-studded blue butterfly ], BBC news website, 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2013-01-28.</ref> Bird species present include [[nightjar]] and [[tree pipit]] with reptiles such as the [[common lizard]] and [[adder]] established on the site. There are also colonies of [[solitary bee]]s and [[ant-lion]]s.<ref name=swt /><ref name=sssi /> |
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The heath is managed through seasonal cutting of vegetation, especially invasive species, in order to maintain a variety of habitats.<ref name=swt /> [[Hebridean sheep]] and [[Exmoor ponies]] have also been introduced at the site in order to assist management.<ref name=bbc22apr10 /> A car park is maintained by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to allow access to the reserve. |
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==Archaeology== |
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A ancient boundary bank forms the southern edge of the site and is well preserved. The common includes a number of [[iron age]] sites as well as a wide [[World War II]] anti-glider ditch. This provides habitats for solitary bees and lizards.<ref name=sssi /> |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Suffolk]] |
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*[[Suffolk Coast and Heaths]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Suffolk]] |
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Suffolk]] |
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Revision as of 11:30, 28 January 2013
Blaxhall Common or Blaxhall Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a nature reserve in the parish of Blaxhall in the Suffolk Coastal district of the English county of Suffolk. The reserve is owned by Blaxhall Parish Council and managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.[1] The reserve is within the Blaxhall Heath SSSI and is also designated as a Natura 2000 site.
Location
The site is located on the Suffolk Sandlings, an area of sandy soil and glacial geology stretching along the Suffolk coast from Ipswich to Southwold.[2] The traditional land cover was lowland dry heathland, but much of this landscape has been destroyed with isolated areas, such as at Blaxhall, surviving.[2][3][4]
Blaxhall Common is around 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Blaxhall and 2 miles (3.2 km) south-west of Snape on the B1069 road between Snape and Tunstall. It is 5 miles (8.0 km) south-west of Leiston and 8 miles (13 km) north-east of Woodbridge. It falls on the edge of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Plant and wildlife
The heath is mainly heathers with a mosaic of heather and acidic grassland habitats.[3] The Silver-studded blue butterfly was reintroduced at the site in 2007.[5] Bird species present include nightjar and tree pipit with reptiles such as the common lizard and adder established on the site. There are also colonies of solitary bees and ant-lions.[1][3]
The heath is managed through seasonal cutting of vegetation, especially invasive species, in order to maintain a variety of habitats.[1] Hebridean sheep and Exmoor ponies have also been introduced at the site in order to assist management.[5] A car park is maintained by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to allow access to the reserve.
Archaeology
A ancient boundary bank forms the southern edge of the site and is well preserved. The common includes a number of iron age sites as well as a wide World War II anti-glider ditch. This provides habitats for solitary bees and lizards.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Blaxhall Common, Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
- ^ a b Suffolk's lovely sandlings, Suffolk, East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 2013-01-28
- ^ a b c d Blaxhall Heath, SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
- ^ Sandlings heaths and forests, Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
- ^ a b Suffolk Wildlife Trust's silver-studded blue butterfly , BBC news website, 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2013-01-28.