Ham Hill SSSI, Wiltshire
Encyclopedia
Ham Hill is an area of chalk downland in Wiltshire, on the steep banks running alongside the road from the village of Ham to Buttermere, close to the Berkshire border. A biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1971, covers 1.5 hectare
s of the site; this designation is due to the site's species-rich plant and insect communities, which include some rare species. Notable among these is the Musk Orchid
(Herminium monorchis), which has been confirmed at only one other site in Wiltshire.
The site is managed as a nature reserve
by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
. It is managed by grazing with sheep to prevent scrub encroachment and takeover by rank vegetation, which would otherwise crowd out the scarce plant species.
(Festuca ovina), Quaking-grass (Briza media), and downland herbs such as Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), Salad-burnet (Sanguisorba minor), Common Milkwort
(Polygala vulgaris) and Dwarf Thistle (Cirsium acaule). Other plant species found include Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica).
A wide range of typical chalk downland specialists are found at Ham Hill including Clustered Bellflower
(Campanula glomerata), Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella), Chalk Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), Horseshoe Vetch
(Hippocrepis comosa) and Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium). Both Clustered Bellflower
(Campanula glomerata and Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) are abundant.
This is one of only two confirmed sites in Wiltshire for Musk Orchid
(Herminium monorchis). Seven other species of orchids are presented including Frog Orchid
(Coeloglossum viride), Burnt Orchid
(Orchis ustulata) and Fragrant Orchid
(Gymnadenia conopsea).
Chalk-grassland bryophyte
s found here include the liverwort Leiocolea turbinata and the mosses Ctenidium molluscum, Dicranella varia, Weissia microstoma and Entodon concinnus.
A colony of the Duke of Burgundy
butterfly (Hamearis lucina) is present and other butterfly species associated with chalk flora include Green Hairstreak
(Callophrys rubi), Dingy Skipper
(Erynnis tages), Dark Green Fritillary
(Argynnis aglaja) and Chalkhill Blue
(Lysandra coridon).
The Roman Snail (Helix pomatia), the largest snail species to be found in Britain, occurs here.
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s of the site; this designation is due to the site's species-rich plant and insect communities, which include some rare species. Notable among these is the Musk Orchid
Musk Orchid
The musk orchid is a commonly occurring species of European orchid.-Status in Britain:Musk orchids have a localised distribution in Britain. Sites where it is found include Ham Hill in Wiltshire....
(Herminium monorchis), which has been confirmed at only one other site in Wiltshire.
The site is managed as a nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a wildlife trust covering the county of Wiltshire, England. The organisation is Registered Charity No. 266202.-Sarsen Trail:Sarsen Trail and Neolithic Marathon 2012Run it, Walk it, Bike it, Enjoy it...
. It is managed by grazing with sheep to prevent scrub encroachment and takeover by rank vegetation, which would otherwise crowd out the scarce plant species.
Biological interest
The hillsides at this site have short, herb-rich grassland, and the flatter areas, taller vegetation. The main species in the plant communities here are Upright brome (Bromus erectus), Sheep's FescueSheep's Fescue
Sheep's Fescue or Sheep Fescue is a species of grass.-General Description:It is a perennial plant sometimes found in acidic ground, for example in the Portlethen Moss, Scotland and mountain pasture, throughout Europe and eastwards across much of Asia; it has also been introduced to North...
(Festuca ovina), Quaking-grass (Briza media), and downland herbs such as Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), Salad-burnet (Sanguisorba minor), Common Milkwort
Common Milkwort
Polygala vulgaris, known as the Common Milkwort, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Polygala belonging to the Polygalaceae family.-Description:...
(Polygala vulgaris) and Dwarf Thistle (Cirsium acaule). Other plant species found include Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica).
A wide range of typical chalk downland specialists are found at Ham Hill including Clustered Bellflower
Clustered bellflower
Campanula glomerata, common name Clustered Bellflower or Dane's Blood, is a species of the genus Campanula, belonging to the family Campanulaceae...
(Campanula glomerata), Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella), Chalk Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), Horseshoe Vetch
Horseshoe Vetch
Hippocrepis comosa, known as Horseshoe Vetch, is a flowering plant. It is the sole food of the butterfly species Polyommatus coridon, or the Chalkhill Blue....
(Hippocrepis comosa) and Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium). Both Clustered Bellflower
Clustered bellflower
Campanula glomerata, common name Clustered Bellflower or Dane's Blood, is a species of the genus Campanula, belonging to the family Campanulaceae...
(Campanula glomerata and Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) are abundant.
This is one of only two confirmed sites in Wiltshire for Musk Orchid
Musk Orchid
The musk orchid is a commonly occurring species of European orchid.-Status in Britain:Musk orchids have a localised distribution in Britain. Sites where it is found include Ham Hill in Wiltshire....
(Herminium monorchis). Seven other species of orchids are presented including Frog Orchid
Frog Orchid
The Frog Orchid, or Coeloglossum viride, also known as the Long-Bracted Green Orchid and Dactylorhiza viridis is a monotypic genus of the family Orchidaceae generally found within the palearctic ecozone throughout the mid to northern United States through Canada, and in the British Isles and parts...
(Coeloglossum viride), Burnt Orchid
Burnt orchid
The Burnt Orchid is a European terrestrial orchid, most common in the mountains. It flowers between April and August depending on the altitude....
(Orchis ustulata) and Fragrant Orchid
Fragrant orchid
Fragrant Orchid is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.-Etymology:The name of the genus Gymnodenia is formed from Greek words "gymnos" meaning "nude" and "adèn" meaning "gland" and refers to the characteristics of the organs for secreting nectar...
(Gymnadenia conopsea).
Chalk-grassland bryophyte
Bryophyte
Bryophyte is a traditional name used to refer to all embryophytes that do not have true vascular tissue and are therefore called 'non-vascular plants'. Some bryophytes do have specialized tissues for the transport of water; however since these do not contain lignin, they are not considered to be...
s found here include the liverwort Leiocolea turbinata and the mosses Ctenidium molluscum, Dicranella varia, Weissia microstoma and Entodon concinnus.
A colony of the Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
butterfly (Hamearis lucina) is present and other butterfly species associated with chalk flora include Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
The Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.Callophrys rubi is found in Europe, North Africa, Russia, Asia Minor, Siberia, Amurland , Baluchistan and Chitral....
(Callophrys rubi), Dingy Skipper
Dingy Skipper
The Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages, is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It ranges from Europe across Asia Minor and Central Asia to the Amur region.Erynnis tages favours open grassy habitats up to 2,000 metres above sea level...
(Erynnis tages), Dark Green Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary
The Dark Green Fritillary is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.The insect has a wide range in the Palearctic ecozone - Europe, Morocco, Iran , Siberia, Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan.-Subspecies:...
(Argynnis aglaja) and Chalkhill Blue
Chalkhill Blue
The Chalkhill Blue is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.Males have pale silvery-blue wings with black and white border . Females are dark brown, also with the black and white borders...
(Lysandra coridon).
The Roman Snail (Helix pomatia), the largest snail species to be found in Britain, occurs here.
External links
- English Nature website (SSSI information)