WILDLIFE IN COMMON

County Wildlife Site Survey Form (Ref. No.268)

Site Name: Dunston Common Parish: Stoke Holy Cross Grid reference: TG 227026 Area: 8.0ha (entire CWS) District: South Survey date: 22/05/19

Map showing the boundary of the County Wildlife Site:

Please note: this was a part-resurvey of the County Wildlife Site.

Habitat description:

An historic common and part of a larger County Wildlife Site (CWS 268), Dunston Common is deciduous woodland on acid soils around a central, open mown grassland. A pond is connected by seasonally wet ditches, flowing from the moat and ponds of Dunston Hall, through the common, towards the River Tas in the northeast.

The 4 hectares of common lies just south of Stoke Lane, and is owned and managed by Council. The rest of CWS 268 continues north of the road.

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

This area has always been part of lands of the Dunston estate. There has been a house/hall nearby since mediaeval times. It seems that the common was always on the edge of their land and could have originally been part of Common Close Plantation.

The 19th Century Ordnance Survey maps show the site as open grassland with scattered trees, very similar in appearance to the neighbouring estate parkland. The eastern pond is shown on the 1840 Tithe map, being somewhat larger and connected to the Dunston Estate ponds in the south.

The 1909 Transactions of the Norfolk and Naturalists Society report on The Commons of Norfolk by W.G. Clarke records the site simply as ‘Pasture, furze, scrub and some trees’. The 1946 aerial map shows the common with less tree cover than the present day.

This is a varied site lying mostly on acid soils. It is a mosaic of woodland and grassland and is well used by the public.

The canopy of woodland areas is largely birch (Betula pendula), oak (Quercus robur), occasional sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), holly (Ilex aqufolium) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). Old trees are scarce and much of the canopy is made up of dense stands of immature trees. There is little shrub layer, except occasional coppiced hazel (Corylus avellana), some hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and low bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) in places. Ground flora is quite sparse.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and sallow (Salix cinerea) form an understorey over a damp ground flora of soft rush (Juncus effusus), creeping soft grass (Holcus mollis), lords-and-ladies (Arum maculatum) and red campion (Silene dioica). The 1995 survey records that the grassy tracks and drain banks supported bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), violets (Viola sp.), forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.), dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

The southern area of woodland has occasional coppiced hazel, with some bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and nettle (Urtica dioica). Pignut (Conopodium majus) is rare in the south.

A conifer plantation occurs in the south-west corner, with mainly bare ground under the trees. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is abundant in places, and there is a small patch of native bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scrpita). Garden escapees here include frequent variegated archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatum), rare green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens), snowdrop (Galanthus sp.), daffodil (Narcissus agg.) and hydrid bluebell (Hyacinthoides x massartiana).

Grassland areas are well drained and dominated by red fescue (Festuca rubra), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and common cat's ear (Hypochoeris radicata). Sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is abundant. The main area of acid grassland is maintained as a recreational area for children. This short tight sward supports heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile), field woodrush (Luzula campestris), parsley piert (Aphanes arvense), neat feather moss (Pseudoscleropodium purum) and springy turf moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus).

Sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), early hair grass (Aira praecox), oval sedge (Carex ovalis) and heath grass (Danthonia decumbens) were recorded in the last survey but not seen in 2019.

A small pond lies to the west and supports soft rush, gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and the invasive

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

species New Zealand pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii). It also supports common water- crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and water starwort sp. (Callitriche agg.). The pond is surrounded by tall vegetation which includes rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), nettle and honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum).

The mainly dry ditch is an historic feature dating back to at least 1840. At the time of the survey, it has deep leaf litter, with occasional broad buckler fern (Dryopteris dilatata) and swan's-neck thyme-moss (Mnium hornum).

The north-west Dunston common is kept short mown as amenity grassland.

Other notable species:

See fauna records below:

Adjacent habitats/potential buffer zones & linkage to other sites:

Dunston Common is close to another Smockmill Common another County Wildlife Site.

Is the site in positive conservation management?

The site is managed by South Norfolk District Council.

Brief management proposals:

Management suggestions written under the Wildlife in Common project 2020.

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Habitat Map

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Has a site condition assessment form been completed for this site? Yes

If not how would you rate the overall site condition?

Compartment Favourable/ no Favourable/ Recovering Unfavourable Unfavourable Neglected Part Destroyed number issues. some issues Score 3 – no change - declining Score 6 destroyed/ Score 8 Score 1 Score 2 Score 4 Score 5 (no Score 7 (poor management management

Overall Condition

PLANT LIST

Site name: Dunston Common Date of surveys: 10.12.18; 27.02.19; 1.04.19; 22.05.19; 9.08.19 Ann Roberts, Bob Carpenter, Ann Carpenter, Surveyors: Nicola Cooke

Scientific Name Common Name Acer campestre Maple, Field Achillea millefolium Yarrow Agrostis stolonifera Bent, Creeping Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard (aka Jack by the Hedge) Anthriscus sylvestris Parsley, Cow Aphanes arvensis Parsley Piert Arctium minus Burdock, Lesser Arum maculatum Arum Lily (aka Lords-and-ladies / Cuckoo Pint ) Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern (aka Common Lady Fern) Bellis perennis Daisy, Common/English Betula pendula Birch, Silver Buddleja davidii Buddleia Callitriche agg. Water Starwort sp. Calystegia sepium Bindweed, Hedge (aka Bellbind) Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s purse Carpinus betulus Hornbeam, Common / European Castanea sativa Chestnut, Sweet Cerastium fontanum Mouse-ear, Common Cerastium glomeratum Mouse-ear, Sticky Chamerion angustifolium Willowherb,Rosebay Chaerophyllum temulum Chervil, Rough Cirsium arvense Thistle, Creeping Cirsium vulgare Thistle, Spear

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific Name Common Name Conopodium majus Pignut Corylus avellana Hazel, Common Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot grass Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Dipsacus fullonum Teasel, Wild/Common Dryopteris dilatata Fern, Broad Buckler Dryopteris filix-mas Fern, Male (aka Basket Fern) Epilobium ciliatum Willowherb, American Epilobium hirutum Willowherb, great Epilobium montanum Willowherb, Broad-leaved Erodium cicutarium Stork's-bill, Common Euphorbia peplus Spurge, Petty Fagus sylvatica Beech, Common Festuca rubra Red Fescue Ficaria verna Celandine, Lesser Fraxinus excelsior Ash, Common Galanthus nivalis Snowdrop, Common Galium aparine Cleavers Galium saxatile Bedstraw, Heath Geranium dissectum Crane's-Bill, Cut-Leaved Geranium lucidum Crane's-Bill, Shining Geranium molle Crane's-Bill, Dove's foot Geranium pusillum Crane's-Bill, Small-flowered Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geum urbanum Wood Avens (aka Herb Bennet) Hedera helix Ivy, Common (aka English Ivy) Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed (aka Cow Parsnip) Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell (aka English Bluebell / Wild Hyacinth) Hyacinthoides sp. Bluebell (non-native) Ilex aquifolium Holly Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam Iris pseudacorus Iris, Yellow Flag Juncus effusus Rush,soft Lamium album Dead-nettle, White Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. Archangel, Variegated yellow argentatum Lamium galeobdolon Archangel, Yellow (aka Yellow Dead-nettle) Lamium purpureum Dead-nettle, Red Lemna minor Duckweed, Common Leucanthemum vulgare Daisy, Ox-eye Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle, Common Luzula campestris Wood-rush, Field

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific Name Common Name Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort (aka Water horehound) Malva sylvestris Mallow, Common Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Medicago arabica Medick, Spotted (aka Spotted Burclover) Medicago lupulina Medick, Black Mercurialis perennis Dogs Mercury Moehringia trinervia Sandwort, Three-nerved Myosotis arvensis Forget-me-not, Field Myosotis scorpioides Forget-me-not, Water Narcissus agg. Daffodil Pentaglottis sempervirens Green Alkanet Picea abies Spruce, Norway Pilosella officinarum (aka Hieracium pilosella) Hawkweed, Mouse-ear Pinus sylvestris Pine, Scots Plantago lanceolata Plantain, Ribwort (aka Narrow-leaved Plantain) Plantago major Plantain, Greater (aka Common Plantain / Broad- leaved ) Poa annua Meadow-grass, Annual Populus alba Poplar, White Potentilla anserina Silverweed Potentilla reptans Cinquefoil, Creeping Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Prunus padus Cherry, Bird Quercus ilex Oak, Holm (aka Evergreen/Holly Oak) Quercus robur Oak, English / Common Ranunculus aquatilis Water-crowfoot, Common Ranunculus flammula Spearwort, Lesser Ranunculus repens Buttercup, Creeping Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron, Common Ribes nigrum Currant, Black Ribes rubrum Currant, Red Ribes uva-crispa Gooseberry Rosa arvensis Field-rose (aka Briar) Rosa canina Dog-rose Rosa rugosa Rugosa rose Rubus fruticosus agg. Blackberry (Bramble) Rubus idaeus Raspberry Rumex acetosella Sorrel, Sheep's Rumex obtusifolius Dock, Broad-leaved Rumex sanguineus Dock, Wood (aka Bloody Dock) Salix caprea Willow, Goat Sambucus nigra Elder Senecio jacobaea Ragwort, Common

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific Name Common Name Senecio sylvaticus Ragwort, Woodland (aka Heath Groundsel) Senecio vulgaris Groundsel, Common Silene dioica Campion, Red Sorbus aria Whitebeam Sorbus aucuparia Rowan (aka Mountain Ash) Stachys sylvatica Woundwort, Hedge Stellaria media Chickweed, Common Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Syringa vulgaris Lilac, Common Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion agg. Taxus baccata Yew Trifolium dubium Trefoil, Lesser Trifolium pratense Clover, Red Trifolium repens Clover, White Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot Typha angustifolia Bulrush, Lesser Urtica dioica Nettle, Stinging Valeriana officinalis Valerian, Common Veronica hederifolia Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Veronica persica Speedwell, Common Field Veronica serpyllifolia Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Viola reichenbachiana Dog-violet, Early Viola odorata Violet, Sweet Viola sp. Violet sp.

Byrophytes

Bracythecium rutabulum Rough-stalked feather moss Pseudoscleropodium purum Neat feather moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Springy turf moss

Fungi

Amanita muscaria Fly agaric Auricularia auricula-judae Jelly ear Fomes fomentarius Hoof fungus Fomitopsis betulina Birch polypore Ganoderma australe Southern bracket Hymenochaete corrugata Glue crust Lycoperdon perlatum Common puffball Mycena aetites Drab bonnet Panaeolus fimicola Mottlegill Polyporus niveus Hazel bracket

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Rhytisma acerinum Tar spot Scleroderma citrinum Common earthball Trametes versicolor Turkeytail

FAUNA

Bird Records

Scientific Name Common Name Aegithalos caudatus Long tailed tit Buteo buteo Common buzzard Certhia familiaris Tree creeper Corvus frugilegus Rook Corvus monedula Jackdaw Cyanistes caeruleus Blue tit Dendrocopos major Great spotted woodpecker Erithacus rubecula Robin Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Garrulus glandarius European jay Motacilla cinerea Grey wagtail Parus major Great tit Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff Pica pica Magpie Picus viridis Green woodpecker Prunella modularis Dunnock Sitta europaea Nuthatch Sylvia communis Whitethroat Turdus merula Blackbird

Butterfly Records

Scientific Name Common Name Aglais io Peacock Anthocharis cardamines Orange tip Lycaena phlaeas Small copper Maniola jurtina Meadow brown Pararge aegeria Speckled wood Pieris brassicae Large white Pieris napi Green veined white Pieris rapae Small white Polygonia c-album Comma Vanessa atalanta Red admiral

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WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Dragonfly Records

Scientific Name Common Name Aeshna mixta Migrant hawker Aeshna cyanea Southern hawker Nomada sp. Nomad bee Sympetrum sanguineum Ruddy darter Sympetrum striolatum Common darter

Bee Records

Scientific Name Common Name Bombus lapidarius Red tailed bumblebee Bombus pascuorum Common carder bee Bombus terrestris Buff tailed bumblebee

Other Invertebrate Records

Scientific Name Common Name Adalia decempunctata 10 spot ladybird Coccinella septempunctata 7 spot ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata Orange ladybird Harmonia axyridis Harlequin ladybird Panorpa communis Scorpion fly Rhagonycha fulva Common red soldier beetle

Mammal Records

Scientific Name Common Name Muntiacus reevesi Muntjac Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit Sciurus carolinensis Grey squirrel Talpa europaea Mole

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