Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton
March 2011
Woburn Park Photo by Chris Smallwood Acknowledgements
The parkland sites map which accompanies this report was funded by Natural England and Bedfordshire County Council. Data were provided by the Bedfordshire and Luton Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre, Ancient Tree Hunt and Tree Register of the British Isles. Historical information was made available from the Bedfordshire Historic Environment Record via Heritage Gateway. Many thanks to Laura Downton, John Comont and Graham Bellamy (Wildlife Trust), Phil Irving (Greensand Trust), Vanessa Clarke and Ed Burnett (Bedford Borough Council), David Alderman (The Tree Register) and Adrian Fett (Bromham Mill), for providing additional information.
31 March 2011
Prepared by: Heather Webb BedsLife Telephone: 0300 300 6025 Email: [email protected]
1 Contents
Methodology...... 4 Results...... 5 Discussion...... 8 Appendix 1 Historic parks of Bedfordshire and Luton ...... 9 Appendix 2 Parklands removed from the Bedfordshire site register...... 11 Appendix 3 Bedfordshire and Luton Parkland Site Register ...... 12
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 2 March 2011 Introduction Parkland habitat typically consists of large spreading trees, often pollarded, at various densities in a matrix of grassland, heathland and woodland. It is believed to have been widespread in lowland landscapes through the medieval age and up to the early 19th century. Parklands contain veteran trees which can be internationally important for invertebrates of dead wood habitat, fungi and lichens dependent on ancient trees. Over 90 parkland sites can be identified in Bedfordshire but only remnants of most sites remain. The two largest parks at Woburn and Woodbury at one time occupied perhaps 3200 ha. Luton Hoo, Wrest Park, Southill and Chicksands probably all exceeded 200 ha. Woburn is the largest remaining parkland in the county, with large herbivores grazing acid/neutral grassland beneath trees of mixed ages including some veterans. This study is an extension of the 1997 report by Leach on Bedfordshire’s parkland habitats.1 Leach described the habitat and associated conservation issues both in the national and local contexts, and so that work is not repeated here. Rather, the current study attempts to refine Leach’s work by contextualising Bedfordshire’s parkland sites within the framework of the UK and Bedfordshire Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP). Specifically, this study aims to: Identify which of Bedfordshire and Luton’s parkland sites meet UK BAP habitat criteria, thereby creating a definitive site register Delineate the current boundaries of the county’s parkland sites, many of which are relics of once larger parks Assess parkland site condition and management Allocate each parkland to a BAP action category (i.e. maintain, achieve condition, restore or expand) to create a county parkland habitat opportunities map. The UK BAP historically included only lowland wood-pasture and parkland habitats. In 2008 this was amended to include upland sites as well. The current habitat definition includes:2
Wood-pastures and parklands derived from medieval forests and embankments, wooded commons, parks and pastures with trees in them. Some have subsequently had a designed landscape superimposed in the 16th to 19th centuries. A range of native species usually predominates amongst the old trees but there may be non-native species which have been planted or regenerated naturally. Parklands with their origins in the 19th century or later where they contain much older trees derived from an earlier landscape Under-managed and unmanaged wood-pastures with veteran trees, in a matrix of secondary woodland or scrub that has developed by regeneration and/or planting Parkland or wood-pasture that has been converted to other uses such as arable fields, forestry and amenity land, but where surviving veteran trees are of nature conservation interest. Some of the characteristic wood-pasture and parkland species may have survived this change of state.
Not included in this definition are sites of 19th century origins or later, which do not have the above features.
1 Leach C. 1997. An analysis of wood pasture and parkland in Bedfordshire with respect to ‘Target Note 2’ of the English Nature lowland wood pasture and parkland biodiversity action plan July 1997. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council, 70 p. 2 Biodiversity Reporting and Information Group. 2008. UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat Descriptions. Maddock A, Ed. 94 p.
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 3 March 2011 Methodology A list of candidate parkland sites was provided by the Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre (BRMC), which had digitised Bedfordshire’s Historic Environment Record. This list included all historic parklands known to have existed in the county, and was cross-checked against Leach’s list to ensure that no sites were missing. The resulting list included 93 sites (Appendix 1). Desk-based work helped to eliminate from the list those sites which did not meet the UK BAP habitat definition. Each site was checked on the 2002 and 2007 county aerial photographs, to obtain a general idea of which still might exist. Several sites had been turned over to housing and other types of development and could therefore be eliminated right away. The Heritage Gateway3 was then used to identify the age of each site: sites dating from the 19th century or later could then be evaluated simply for the existence of very old veteran trees. Those which did not have any were eliminated from the site list. Most sites were visited to help identify current site boundaries, assess the condition of the sward, determine the presence and/or approximate age of veteran trees and determine what if any management practices were being employed. Some sites had no footpath, visual or other public access and could not be visited, however the vast majority of those which could be were visited. Site visits took place between April 2007 and April 2011. Forty-seven sites were eliminated from the list based on the combination of desk- and site-based work (Appendix 2). The remaining 46 sites were assessed for the presence of important species and veteran trees. The BRMC provided for each site a list of UK BAP4 and grassland indicator5 species recorded. Grassland indicator species were included to provide an indication of sward species richness and ecological importance. Where current parkland boundaries were not known, data extracted were based on historic boundaries. Lists of Bedfordshire’s veteran trees were provided by the Ancient Tree Hunt and Tree Register of the British Isles. These included veteran trees for only some of the parklands. However these two lists did contain records not included in Leach’s lists, which were used as the starting point for the veteran tree lists. Species lists, veteran tree lists and field observations were used to allocate each site to a UK BAP habitat condition category. These four categories identify the nature of work needed to manage habitat. The categories are: 1. Maintain extent: maintain the current extent of the resource. This category refers to spatial area of habitat which currently meets a UK BAP habitat definition. 2. Achieve condition: maintain condition (where it is good) or improve condition (where it is poor) of an existing BAP habitat resource. Like ‘maintain extent’, this category refers to habitat which currently meets a UK BAP habitat definition. As such the two categories are often used together. 3. Restore: improve the condition of degraded or relict habitat so that it qualifies as BAP habitat. Restoration implies that significant effort is needed to bring a site with relict features or historically former habitat into BAP condition.
3 Heritage Gateway. 2006. Quick Search [ONLINE]
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 4 March 2011 4. Expand: increase the extent of the resource, i.e. establish BAP habitat in an area where it currently does not exist and where no significant habitat relicts remain.6 The key features of lowland parkland are veteran trees and a grassy sward. These were used to prepare a decision matrix to determine into which habitat target category each site should fall. As parkland is a historic habitat this study was concerned with an existing or degraded resource. In keeping with the habitat definition above, sites without veteran trees were not considered as parkland although they may fall into one of the grassland habitat types. Likewise, sites which have over time wooded up may now more appropriately be considered as part of the county woodland resource. As this study investigated only historic parkland, sites undergoing expansion – while it is taking place in Bedfordshire – were not considered. The one exception is Haynes Park: while its veteran trees are now gone, its medieval origins, remaining park boundaries and current management made it important enough to be considered as part of the county’s existing BAP habitat resource. Table 1 presents the decision matrix used to allocate sites to the target type categories.
Table 1 Decision matrix for assigning BAP habitat target types to Bedfordshire parkland sites Veteran trees Veteran trees Non-veteran No trees present present trees present
Improved Restore Expand* Expand d r Semi- a Achieve condition Restore* Expand* w improved S
Maintain/achieve Unimproved Restore* Expand* condition
*such sites could instead be considered as part of the relevant grassland inventory
Results Forty-six extant parkland sites were identified in Bedfordshire and Luton (Table 2). These range widely in size from the 1200ha Woburn Park to ‘pocket parks’ of less than a hectare, at Eggington House and Bassmead Manor. Over half (27: 53%) of sites are in need of restoration due to sward improvement or conversion to agriculture.
6 Species and Habitats Review Working Group. 2006. Review of BAP targets – habitat target definitions. Information Note. 7 p.
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 5 March 2011 Table 2 Extant parklands in Bedfordshire and Luton as of 2011
Site Location Site Location Ampthill Park Ampthill Howbury Hall Park Renhold Aspley House Grounds Aspley Guise Ickwell Bury Ickwell BarleyCroft Sharnbrook LindenHouse Eversholt Bassmead Grounds Staploe The Lodge Sandy Battlesden Park Battlesden Luton Hoo Luton Bromham Park Bromham Melchbourne Park Melchbourne Bushmead Priory Colmworth Milton Bryan Manor Milton Bryan Grounds Chicksands Park Chicksands Moggerhanger Park Moggerhanger Cockayne Hatley House Cockayne Hatley New Park Turvey Grounds ColworthHousePark Sharnbrook OldWardenPark OldWarden Cranfield Court Grounds Cranfield Southill Park Southill Crawley Park Crawley Stockgrove Park Stockgrove East Hyde Park Luton Stockwood Park Luton Eggington House Eggington Sutton Park Sutton Grounds Flitwick Manor Flitwick Tempsford Hall Park Tempsford Haynes Park Haynes Tingrith Park Tingrith Hazells Hall Sandy Toddington Manor Toddington Henlow Park Henlow Tofte Manor Sharnbrook Hexton Manor Shillington (part) Turvey Abbey Park Turvey Hinwick House Hinwick Turvey Hall Grounds Turvey Hockliffe Grange Hockliffe Woburn Park Woburn Grounds Houghton Hall Houghton Regis Woodbury Park Everton Howards House Cardington Wrest Park Silsoe Grounds
Of the 93 parklands registered in the Bedfordshire Historic Environment Record, 61 were of sufficient age to potentially qualify as parklands under the UK BAP. These sites covered a total of 6603.5 ha. Fifteen sites (Appendix 2) have been lost to development or other forms of land conversion, a loss of 899.2 ha or 13.6%. The extant 46 sites once covered 5704.4 ha; they currently occupy 2708.7 ha, a loss of 52.5% of original site area (Figure 1). Therefore of the original 6603.5 ha of Bedfordshire parkland, 41% remains. The complete site register is presented in Appendix 3.
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 6 March 2011 Figure 1 Historic and current area of parklands in Bedfordshire and Luton, by UK BAP habitat category
Most of the 46 extant sites have been allocated to the ‘restore’ BAP action category (Figure 2). This figure is misleading, however: due to the good condition and management of large parklands like Woburn and Wrest Park most of Bedfordshire’s parkland area is in the ‘maintain’ or ‘achieve condition’ categories (Figure 3). Figure 4 presents a comparison of site number and area in each of the BAP action categories. Sites in the ‘Restore/Achieve condition’ category did not quite fit into either category and have therefore been grouped together on their own.
Figure 2 Percentage of Bedfordshire and Luton Figure 3 Percentage of Bedfordshire and Luton parkland sites allocated to each UK BAP habitat parkland site area allocated to each UK BAP habitat category category
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 7 March 2011 Figure 4 Area (ha) and number of Bedfordshire and Luton parkland sites allocated to each UK BAP habitat category
Discussion Bedfordshire’s 46 parklands represent a range of sizes and conditions. Fortunately for conservation purposes the two largest parks – Woburn and Wrest Parks – are each in a sympathetic management regime and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Luton Hoo, Ampthill Park and East Hyde Park are also large parklands in positive management but have not yet achieved the desired condition. The county’s mid-sized parklands represent the greatest opportunity for conservation gains. Most of the sites in the ‘restore’ habitat category have been so assigned due to sward improvement and low species richness. Some of these sites (e.g., Moggerhanger, Houghton Hall and Stockgrove) are in positive management. However others like Melchbourne, Old Warden, Howbury Hall and Tingrith are of sufficient size that were they to be re-naturalised they would improve substantially the quality of the total habitat resource. The site register lists fewer veteran trees than no doubt exist on the sites. Most of the veteran tree records are from the early 1990s and it would be of interest to check these to determine how many remain. The Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt project has contributed more recent records, however these tend to be from the publicly accessible areas. Access restrictions have prevented veteran tree surveys on many sites. Now that a complete parkland site register exists it is hoped that surveys can be done on some of these less accessible parklands.
Survey of Parkland Sites in Bedfordshire and Luton 8 March 2011 Appendix 1 Historic parks of Bedfordshire and Luton
Sitename Grid Location Historic Age reference Size (ha) (century) Ampthill House Grounds TL038379 Ampthill 20 19 Ampthill Park Ampthill 167 AspleyHouseGrounds SP944361 AspleyGuise 13 17 BarleyCroft SP998601 Sharnbrook 24 ? Barwythe House TL023149 Studham 5 19 BassmeadGrounds TL139611 Staploe 31 19 Battlesden Park SP958294 Battlesden 109 14 BedfordPark TL051511 Bedford 24 19 Billington Manor SP942224 Billington 6 19 BlunhamHouseGrounds TL151510 Blunham 13 19 BrogboroughDeerPark TL973382 Brogborough 245 13 BromhamHouseGrounds TL017512 Bromham 52 19 BromhamPark TL020515 Bromham 70 16 BroomHallGrounds TL173429 Broom 15 18 BushmeadPriory TL116607 Colmworth 74 18 CainhoeDeerPark TL106373 Clophill 203 13 Chicksands Park TL120392 Chicksands 259 ? ClaphamPark TL048527 Clapham 79 19 CliftonManorGrounds TL162394 Clifton 11 18 CockayneHatleyHouseGrounds TL257497 CockayneHatley 11 18-19 ColworthHousePark SP981601 Sharnbrook 86 18 CranfieldCourtGrounds SP955412 Cranfield 32 19 CrawleyPark SP953360 Crawley 15 18-19 DeanGrangeGrounds TL050681 UpperDean 40 19 DeanHouse TL046678 UpperDean 14 19 EastHydePark TL135174 TheHyde,Luton 123 18 EggingtonHouseGrounds SP960254 Eggington 7 18 Flitwick Manor TL029342 Flitwick 23 18 GoldingtonBuryGrounds TL077509 Bedford 15 16 GreatBarfordHouseGrounds TL137533 GreatBarford 14 19 GroveHouse TL017221 Dunstable 22 HarroldDeerPark SP930583 Harrold 248 13 HarroldHallGrounds SP947570 Harrold 8 16 HaynesPark TL079413 Haynes 264 14 HazellsHall TL189501 Sandy 122 18 HenlowPark TL183384 Henlow 93 18 HextonManor TL108305 Hexton 7 19 Higham Bury Grounds TL053330 Pulloxhill 19 19 HighamFerrarsDeerPark SP989639 Knotting/Souldrop 242 11 TheHighlands TL136520 GreatBarford 5 19-20? Hinwick Hall SP935624 Hinwick 59 19? HinwickHouse SP936620 Hinwick 14 18 HockliffeGrangeGrounds SP963272 Hockliffe 14 19 HoughtonHall TL022237 HoughtonRegis 37 18 HoughtonPark TL036248 HoughtonRegis ? 16 HouseWharf&PleasureGrounds TL188445 Biggleswade 1 18 HowardsHouseGrounds TL087480 Cardington 3 18 HowburyHallPark TL098517 Renhold 89 18
9 Sitename Grid Location Historic Age reference Size (ha) (century) IckwellBury TL139457 Ickwell 238 18 Kempston Grange Park TL035482 Kempston 17 19 Kempston Manor Grounds TL035482 Kempston 17 19 Kempston Medieval Park Kempston 24 12 Linden House SP981328 Eversholt 8 18 Little Staughton Lodge TL097619 Little Staughton 46 19 TheLodge TL189478 Sandy 26 20 LutonHoo TL105185 Luton 622 17 Melchbourne Park TL031649 Melchbourne 148 17 Milton Bryan Manor Grounds SP973303 Milton Bryan 7 17 Milton Ernest Grange Grounds TL024554 Milton Ernest 15 19 Moggerhanger Park TL135487 Moggerhanger 77 19 NewPark SP939529 Turvey 59 18 OakleyHouseGrounds TL005532 Oakley 47 16 OldWardenPark TL147442 OldWarden 226 19 Park Close TL090661 Kimbolton 1 14? PavenhamBuryGrounds SP994559 Pavenham 38 19 Pertenhall Manor TL083653 Pertenhall 2 16? Pictshill House Grounds SP966522 Turvey 70 19 Prebendal Mansion SP919247 Leighton Linslade 3 14 RavensdenHouseGrounds TL060553 Ravensden 10 19 RoxtonPark TL150544 Roxton 16 19 SandyePlaceGrounds Sandy 27 18 SegenhoeManorGrounds SP983360 Ridgmont 38 19 SharnbrookGrangeGrounds SP998598 Sharnbrook 2 18-19 Shillington Manor House TL121322 Shillington 13 19 ShortmeadHouseGrounds TL189458 Biggleswade 14 ? Southill Park TL144421 Southill 330 18 Staploe Medieval Park Staploe ? 12 Stevington Park SP999527 Stevington 32 ? Stockgrove Park SP936296 HeathandReach 52 16 StockwoodPark TL088196 Luton 109 18 Stratton Park TL209441 Stratton 72 19 Sutton Park TL217480 Sutton 60 17 TempsfordHallPark TL167534 Tempsford 56 18 Tingrith Park TL004325 Tingrith 73 19 Toddington Manor TL005293 Toddington 124 18 Tofte Manor SP990602 Sharnbrook 2 17/20 Turvey Abbey Park SP946524 Turvey 103 17 TurveyHallGrounds SP939528 Turvey 161 18 Westoning Manor Park TL027327 Westoning 57 19 WoburnPark SP966325 Woburn 960 17-18 WoodburyPark TL211521 Everton 88 17 WoottonHouseGrounds TL002450 Wootton 33 16? WrestPark TL091356 Silsoe 487 14 * historic area: either current area is unknown or the parkland has been lost
10 Appendix 2 Parklands removed from the Bedfordshire site register
Site name Location Rationale Ampthill House Grounds Ampthill Lost (development) Barwythe House Studham ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Bedford Park Bedford ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Billington Manor Billington Planted in 19th century Blunham House Grounds Blunham ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees BrogboroughDeerPark Brogborough Lost(arable,development) Bromham House Grounds Bromham ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees BroomHallGrounds Broom Lost(arable) CainhoeDeerPark Clophill Lost(arable,golfcourse) Clapham Park Clapham ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Clifton Manor Grounds Clifton Lost (arable) Dean Grange Grounds Upper Dean ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Dean House Upper Dean ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Goldington Bury Grounds Bedford Lost (development) Great Barford House Grounds Great Barford ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Grove House Dunstable ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees HarroldDeerPark Harrold Lost(incorporatedintoParkWood) HarroldHallGrounds Harrold Lost(development) Higham Bury Grounds Pulloxhill ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Higham Ferrars Deer Park Knotting/Souldrop Lost (arable) The Highlands Great Barford ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Hinwick Hall Hinwick ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees HoughtonPark HoughtonRegis Lost House Wharf & Pleasure Ground Biggleswade Lost (arable, development) Kempston Grange Park Kempston ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Kempston Manor Grounds Kempston ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Kempston Medieval Park Kempston Lost (part of Kempston Wood?) Little Staughton Lodge Little Staughton Lost (arable) Milton Ernest Grange Grounds Milton Ernest ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees OakleyHouseGrounds Oakley Lost(arable) Park Close Kimbolton Lost (development) Pavenham Bury Grounds Pavenham ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Pertenhall Manor Pertenhall Lost (some grassland, no vet trees) Pictshill House Grounds Turvey ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Prebendal Mansion Leighton Linslade Lost (demolished 1806) Ravensden House Grounds Ravensden ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Roxton Park Roxton ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Sandye Place Grounds Sandy Lost (development) SegenhoeManorGrounds Ridgmont Lost(arable,re-landscaped) SharnbrookGrangeGrounds Sharnbrook Lost(development) Shillington Manor Grounds Shillington ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Shortmead House Grounds Biggleswade Lost (development) Staploe Medieval Park Staploe Lost? Stevington Park Stevington Lost (arable) Stratton Park Stratton ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees Westoning Manor Park Westoning ≥ 19th c, no pre-19th c veteran trees WoottonHouseGrounds Wootton Lost(ponypaddock,novettrees)
11 Appendix 3 Bedfordshire and Luton Parkland Site Register t s
Site: Ampthill Park u r T
d
Grid reference: TL028381 n a s Area: 78.7 ha (historic 167.3 ha) n e e r G
Site use: Part amenity, part managed for / g n nature i v r I
l i
Public access: Open access h P
y b
Official designations: Registered Park or o t
Garden Grade II, Conservation Area, County o h
Wildlife Site P Current condition and management: Some of the sward is quite diverse and the site was put into Higher Level Stewardship in November 2010. Grazing is being re-introduced to the lower section of the park, partly as a trial to assess the feasibility of extending it to other areas and/or the whole site. Most of the upper area grassland is managed by annual hay cutting/forage harvesting to restore the acid grassland. BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 16 153 1991 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 22 148 1991 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 24 143 1991 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 25 135 1991 Fagus sylvatica Beech 27 129 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 27 127 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 19 186 1992 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Agrostis capillaries Common bent Myosotis ramosissima* Early forget-me-not Aira praecox Early hair-grass Ophrys apifera Bee orchid Ajuga reptans Bugle Ornithopus perpusillus* Bird’s-foot Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Plantago coronopus Buck’s-horn plantain Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Plantago media Hoary plantain Carex hirta Hairy sedge Potentilla erecta* Tormentil Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Primula vulgaris Primrose Lamprocarpa sedge Carex nigra* Common sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Cystius europaeus Broom Ranunculus flammula* Lesser spearwort Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy-hair grass Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Filago vulgaris* Common cudweed Saxifraga granulata* Meadow saxifrage Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Spergularia rubra* Sand spurrey Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Trifolium arvense* Hare’s-foot clover Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Ulex europaeus Gorse * denotes strong indicator species
12 BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Bufo bufo Common toad Locustella naevia Common grasshopper warbler Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Cupido minimus Small blue Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Dendrocopos minor subsp. Lesser spotted Pyrgus malvae Grizzled skipper comminutus woodpecker Erinaceus europaeus West European Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch Hedgehog pileata Hamearis lucina Duke of Burgundy Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak Lasiommata megera Wall brown Triturus cristatus Great crested newt Lepus europaeus Brown hare
13 Site: Aspley House Grounds Grid reference: SP945362 Area: 7.8 ha (historic 13.1 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: RoW only Official designations: None Current condition and management: 20/04/07: This site appears to comprise two compartments. The area closest to the house has some new plantings of various ages and a few old trees. The sward appears to be improved grassland, probably mowed. The Bedford Road end of the site is more evolved with a slightly more species rich sward and at the time of the visit was being grazed by horses. The park stretches south of the house beyond East Street, and is still pasture here, although it has lost many of its trees. Those which remain are of some size and age. (HER 7015) BAP habitat category: Restore (under active management?)
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo
14 Site: Barley Croft Grid reference: SP998601 Area: 18.4 ha (historic 23.5 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: None Official designations: None Current condition and management: 23/05/07: Site is grazed although no stock were present at the time of survey. The sward appears to be improved grassland BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Ajuga reptans Bugle Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Rumex acetosa Common sorrel * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name
15 Site: Bassmead Manor Grounds Grid reference: TL139611 Area: 0.6 ha (historic 31.0 ha) Site use: Residential grounds Public access: Bridleway around edge of woodland Official designations: None Current condition and management: 11/03/11: A very small park remains to the west of the moat around Bassmead Manor, in the south end of Home Wood. A very picturesque park, contains old Atlas cedar and several old deciduous specimen trees which appear to predate the park. Younger ash and conifers are also present, giving the site quite a thick canopy. The sward is well maintained and probably mown. This is a small park which is largely open arable, with a belt along one side and woodland to the north. Few park trees remain. Park not shown on map of 1826. (HER 7046) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Plantago media Hoary plantain Ajuga reptans Bugle Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Bromopsis erecta* Upright brome Primula veris Cowslip Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Sanguisorba minor subsp. Salad burnet minor* Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Trifolium fragiferum Strawberry clover Ononis spinosa* Spiny restharrow Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Viola hirta* Hairy violet * denotes strong indicator species BAP specie (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Lasiommata megera Wall brown
16
d e
Site: Battlesden Park c n
e e c i v l i
Grid reference: SP958294 t d a n e r a
Area: 56.6 ha (historic 109.4 ha) C
w s i e o h r c r t
Site use: Residential grounds n r a e F e
c i d b L n Public access: None o s u R n
e o © s
Official designations: Registered Park or u m o t e r m
o
Garden Grade II r o h o P f C Current condition and management: The park, which surrounds the site of the house and garden, is now mixed pasture and arable with some remaining single trees. (HER 9427) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Fagus sylvatica Beech 21 121 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 145 1993 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Linum catharticum* Fairy flax Agrostis capillaris Common bent Lychnis flos-cuculi* Ragged-Robin Ajuga reptans Bugle Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Carex disticha* Brown sedge Potentilla erecta* Tormentil Carex flacca* Glaucuous sedge Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula veris Cowslip Carex panacea* Carnation sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Pulicaria dysenterica Common fleabane Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Galium uliginosum* Fen bedstraw Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Silene dioica Red campion Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Stachys officinalis* Betony Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious Leontodon saxatilis* Lesser hawkbit Valeriana dioica* Marsh valerian * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Lasiommata megera Wall brown
17 Site: Bromham Park Grid reference: TL016512 Area: 65.4 ha (historic 69.9 ha) Site use: Agriculture, amenity Public access: Private with several rights of way Official designations: County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: The park is managed for the landowner by a local contractor who cuts the grass by October when the field is used as a car park for a community event. In 2010 the cuttings were baled for hay but in most years since grazing ceased the arisings have been left on the site. It is suspected that this has reduced the sward diversity, however a survey would be needed to confirm this. While the roads have cattle grids it is not expected that the site could realistically be grazed due to the extent to which village residents use the site as a recreation and dog walking area. In the last two or three years a large area of what was formerly grassland between the top and bottom roads has been ploughed up and turned to arable cultivation. BAP habitat category: Achieve condition (possibly restore depending on sward diversity)
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer campestre Fieldmaple 16 84 1993 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 17 74 1992 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 10 127 1991 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Achillea ptarmica* Sneezewort Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Agrostis capillaris Common bent Oenanthe fistulosa* Tubular water-dropwort Ajuga reptans Bugle Pastinaca sativa Wild parsnip Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Carduus nutans Musk thistle Plantago media Hoary plantain Carex disticha* Brown sedge Primula veris Cowslip Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Pulicaria dysenterica Common fleabane Cerastium semidecandrum* Little mouse-ear Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Geranium pratense Meadow crane’s-bill Saxifraga granulata* Meadow saxifrage Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Silaum silaus* Pepper-saxifrage Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Thalictrum flavum* Common meadow-rue Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trifolium fragiferum Strawberry clover Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass * denotes strong indicator species
18 BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Cobitus taenia Spined loach Lutra lutra European otter Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Natrix natrix Grass snake Dendrocopus minor subsp. Lesser spotted Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit comminutus woodpecker palustris/dresseri Erinaceus europaeus West European Pyrgus malvae Grizzled skipper hedgehog Lasiommata megera Wall brown
19 Site: Bushmead Priory Grid reference: TL117604 Area: 6.6 ha (historic 73.7 ha) Site use: Agriculture, residential? Public access: None Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II, County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: Unknown BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Ajuga reptans Bugle Plantago media Hoary plantain Conopodium majum Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name
20 Site: Chicksands Park Grid reference: TL122392 Area: 44.1 ha (historic 258.8 ha) Site use: Military Public access: None Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II Current condition and management: The park lies adjacent to the priory and gardens to the northwest, east and south. The dominant features are the two narrow lakes, formed from the widening of the River Flit, which bisect the south park from west to east. Much of the park has been developed and the remaining area has lost many of its trees. (HER 6992) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Abies concolor White fir 7 26 1993 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 10 62 1994 Acer cappadocicum Cappadocian maple 15 52 1994 Acer japonicum ‘Vitifolium’ Downy Japanese maple 9 34 1993 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 211 97 1993 Aesculus flava Yellow buckeye 18 71 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 15 155 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 17 175 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 11 182 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 229 2005 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 188 2005 Cedrus atlantica Glauca Atlas cedar 17 64 1993 group Cedrus atlantica Glauca Atlas cedar 13 54 1993 group Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 25 185 1993 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 22 171 1993 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 24 145 1993 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 11 22 1993 Cercidiphyllum japonicum Japanese Judas-tree 13 38 1994 Cercidiphyllum japonicum Japanese Judas-tree 11 25 1994 Platanus orientalis Oriental plane 16 147 1993 Platanus x hispanica London plane 27 186 1993 Platanus x hispanica London plane 27 140 1993 Quercus canariensis Algerian oak 18 62 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 14 205 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 21 155 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 13 136 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 130 1993 Quercus x hispanica Lucombeoak 16 77 1993 ‘Lucombeana’ Tilia x euchlora Caucasian lime 12 48 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 20 148 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 26 145 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 24 141 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 26 140 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 30 135 1993
21 Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Myosotis discolour*r Changing forget-me- not Agrostis capillaris Common bent Myosotis ramossissima* Early forget-me-not Ajuga reptans Bugle Ononis repens* Common restharrow Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Pimpinella saxifrage Burnet-saxifrage Calluna vulgaris* Heather Plantago media Hoary plantain Carduus nutans Musk thistle Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Primula veris Cowslip Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Centaureum erythraea Common centaury Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Cystius europaeus Broom Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Silene dioica Red campion Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Inula conyzae* Ploughman’s-spikenard Thalictrum flavum* Common meadow-rue Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Trifolium arvense* Hare’s-foot clover Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Ulex europaeus Gorse Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Viola hirta* Hairy violet Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Lutra lutra Otter Bufo bufo Common toad Micromys minutus Harvest mouse Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail flavissima Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Perdix perdix Grey partridge Erinaceus europaeus West European Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock hedgehog occidentalis Lasiommata megera Wall brown Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak Lepus europaeus Brown hare Triturus cristatus Great crested newt Liminitis camilla White admiral Zootica vivipara Common lizard
22 Site: Cockayne Hatley House Grid reference: TL256496 Area: 2.4 ha (historic 11.0 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: None Official designations: None Current condition and management: 11/03/11: Tall trees can be seen from the nearest right of way, however age of trees cannot be confirmed due to restricted site access. BAP habitat category: Unknown
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Ononis repens* Common restharrow Ajuga reptans Bugle Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Bromus commutatus* Upright brome Plantago media Hoary plantain Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula veris Cowslip Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Viola hirta* Hairy violet * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis subsp. Skylark Liminitis camilla White admiral arvensis/scotica Carduelis cannabina Common linnnet Perdix perdix Grey partridge subsp. autochthona/ cannabina Emberiza calandra subsp. Corn bunting Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit calandra/clanceyi palustris/dresseri Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch pileata Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Streptopelia turtur Turtle dove Lepus europaeus Brown hare Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei
23 Site: Colworth House Park Grid reference: SP982602 Area: 6.4 ha (historic 86.2 ha) Site use: Commercial, agriculture Public access: Road through science park Official designations: None Current condition and management: 21/03/11: Veteran trees could not be seen during the site visit however records indicate that at least two are present. It is uncertain however whether they are in the parkland. The park retains much woodland and belt planting, with a stream running through the central low ground. The open park areas are now arable, and the areas around the house have been developed by Unilever for business purposes and planted to screen and enhance the buildings. The outer landscape including some parkland is still intact. BAP habitat category: Unknown/restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 197 1994 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 12 157 1994 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Ajuga reptans Bugle Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Pyrgus malvae Grizzled skipper Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei
24 Site: Cranfield Court Grounds Grid reference: SP953410 Area: 29.8 ha (historic 32.1 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: Footpaths along north-western and south-western boundaries Official designations: None Current condition and management: 24/02/11: Old trees moderately densely planted, some veteran but without a tree survey it cannot be known whether any of them are pre-19th century. Dead stumps, snags and deadwood have been left in situ. Site is grazed by sheep. Northwest corner of the former park retains parkland appearance and is pastureland with some low remains of ridge and furrow showing between the trees. Northeast corner has been built over. Outside the present Cranfield Court grounds the remainder of the former park has been converted to agriculture, mainly open pasture. (HER 7011) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name
* denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Lasiommata megera Wall brown Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock occidentalis
25 Site: Crawley Park Grid reference: SP952360 Area: 10.2 ha (historic 14.7 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: Right of way only Official designations: None Current condition and management: 20/04/07: The original site no longer has any veteran trees although a few saplings have been planted. The adjacent field has old – possibly veteran – oak and horse chestnut trees. The sward appears to be improved or at best semi-improved grassland. 24/02/11: Veteran trees appear to be concentrated around the House itself, including a great old Holm oak. Enclosed fields are sheep grazed. The site is a medium sized Landscape Park with a reasonable amount of park trees, including clumps and singles with narrow belts encircling the park. The park is still largely pasture. Access is difficult. (HER 6981) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees: Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Cystius europaeus Broom Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Ulex europaeus Gorse * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath
26 Site: East Hyde Park Grid reference: TL136178 Area: 20.8 ha (122.5 ha) Site use: Public access: Footpath on periphery Official designations: None Current condition and management: The South Bedfordshire District Landscape Character Assessment indicates that this small park retains veteran trees, and that the sward is semi-improved grassland. There appear to be clumps of trees present in the park, together with woodland and plenty of pasture. The park is quite large, undeveloped and in good condition. (HER 6990) BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Linum catharticum* Fairy flax Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Mustela putorius Polecat Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Perdix perdix Grey partridge Lasiommata megera Wall brown Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Lepus europaeus Brown hare Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail flavissima
27 Site: Eggington House Grounds Grid reference: SP960254 Area: 1.7 ha (historic 7.1 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: Footpath on periphery Official designations: None Current condition and management: At last visit (2007) was horse grazed. Veteran oak, beech were evident, and parts of the site are quite heavily treed. The sward appears to be improved grassland but this could not be verified. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Motacilla flava subsp Yellow wagtail Perdix perdix Grey partridge flavissima Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher
28 Site: Flitwick Manor Grid reference: TL029339 Area: 11.4 ha (historic 22.6 ha) Site use: Hotel grounds Public access: Permissive access Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II, County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: 20/01/11: A Higher Level Stewardship scheme for the site is being prepared. The plan is to re-introduce grazing to a limited area, and if successful to the whole parkland. The non-grazed areas will be managed by hay cutting/forage harvesting to enhance the grassland which is currently quite poor. The 17ha park lies to the southeast of the manor. The existing layout, boundaries and planting of the park remain largely as it was laid out by George Brooks in the late 18th century, and J.T. Brooks in the early 19th century. Down the western side of the park is the Arboretum, planted in 1819. Much of the 19th century planting in the Arboretum survives. The land to the north of the registered area is no longer parkland and is nowcovered by housing. (HER 7026) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Abies cephalonia Grecianfir 20 57 1990 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 23 122 1990 Alnus glutinosa Alder 21 139 1997 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 27 103 1990 Cedrus atlantica var. glauca Blue atlas cedar 17 121 1990 Chamaecyparus nootkatensis Nootka cypress 24 67 1990 Cryptomeria japonica Japanese red cedar 27 63 1990 Ginko biloba Maidenhair tree 26 98 1990 Juniperus chinensis Chinese juniper 19 52 1990 Juniperus recurva Drooping juniper 14 63 1990 Picea orientalis Oriental spruce 21 57 1990 Pinus nigra var. maritime Corsicanpine 29 96 1990 Pinus nigra var. maritime Corsicanpine 36 95 1990 Pinus wallichiana Bhutan pine 27 89 1990 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 177 1997 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 27 154 1997 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 25 110 1990 Sequoia sempervirens Coast redwood 26 125 1990 Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved lime 30 145 1990 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrostis capillaris Common bent Primula vulgaris Primrose Ajuga reptans Bugle Pteridium aqulinum Bracken Carex hirta Hairy sedge Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Galium uliginosum* Fen bedstraw Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Myosotis ramosissima* Early forget-me-not * denotes strong indicator species
29 BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Bufo bufo Common toad Erinaceus europaeus West European hedgehog Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo
30 Site: Haynes Park Grid reference: TL082415 Area: 12.2 ha (historic 263.8 ha) Site use: Commercial Public access: None Official designations: Current condition and management: 22/05/07: Site appears not to be grazed but mown. Veteran trees were not evident from the public rights of way although there has been a great deal of recent tree planting. BAP habitat category: Expand (currently under active management)
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Pteridium aqulinum Bracken Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Erinaceus europaeus West European hedgehog
31 Site: Hazells Hall Grid reference: TL189500 Area: 65.8 ha (historic 122.1 ha) Site use: Residential Public access: None Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II Current condition and management: A visit to this site was not possible, however FWAG Advisor Matthew O’Brien states that the site badly needs to be grazed. The park surrounds the house to the north, east and south, and is largely pasture with clumps and specimen trees and bounded by woodland. A particular feature is the large old sweet chestnut trees scattered throughout. (HER 6999) BAP habitat category: Restore or achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 20 85 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 18 177 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 18 195 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 16 198 TL19014967 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 28 208 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 22 214 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 23 214 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 15 217 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 25 221 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 13 223 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 24 225 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 20 228 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 16 230 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 25 243 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 264 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 20 183 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 24 149 1993 Malus sylvestris Apple 6 81 1993 Prunus avium Wild cherry 16 56 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 31 179 1993 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Conopodium majus Pignut Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy hair-grass Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort lamprocarpa sedge * denotes strong indicator species
32 BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis subsp. Skylark Erinaceus europaeus West European arvensis/scotica hedgehog Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Lasiommata megera Wall brown subsp. autochthona/cannabina Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Passer domesticus House sparrow Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Perdix perdix Grey partridge Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer
33 Site: Henlow Park Grid reference: TL184383 Area: 47.1 ha (historic 93.0 ha) Site use: Health farm Public access: Footpaths Official designations: County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: 24/05/07: The site appears to have a few veteran trees 02/04/09: Lack of funding and time mean that the landowner does not manage the land. Luckily they have a good relationship with a local farmer who grazes some of the fields with cattle and cuts the rest for hay. The grounds are somewhat degraded as trees have been lost and there has been some change of use, but overall this site still has the character of an 18th century park and pleasure grounds. (HER 6993) BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Filipendula vulgaris* Dropwort Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Silene dioica Red campion Plantago media Hoary plantain Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Perdix perdix Grey partridge Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock subsp. occidentalis autochthona/cannabina Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Turdus torquatus Ring ouzel Lutra lutra European otter Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing Passer domesticus House sparrow
34 Site: Hinwick House
Grid reference: SP936620 s i
e h d c t
n n r
Area: 7.6 ha (historic 14.3 ha) a e e
c d i s l l L n
e s u
Site use: Residence, commercial k n e c o i s t u S m
Public access: None l e r m
e r o g i o f C
Official designations: None N
d e © v e
i t c o t a
Current condition and management: n o e e r h c i 21/03/11: The site appears to be much P l C larger than the 2ha indicated in the records. At least a fewveteran trees are present on site. The sward is cattle grazed and contains nettles and docks. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Agrostis capillaris Common bent Plantago media Hoary plantain Ajuga reptans Bugle Primula veris Cowslip Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Carex hirta Hairy sedge Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Latyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Silene dioica Red campion Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trifolium fragiferum Strawberry clover Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Lepus europaeus Brown hare Lasiommata megera Wall brown Zootica vivipara Common lizard
35 Site: Hockliffe Grange Grounds Grid reference: SP962272 Area: 12.2 ha (historic 13.6 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: Footpaths Official designations: None Current condition and management: 24/02/11: Much of this site is ridge and furrow. A few in-field veteran trees are present, but most veteran trees (beech, oak) are found around the parkland periphery. The site is grazed by sheep and overall has a lovely character. The sward condition could not be determined at the time of the visit. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Fagus sylvatica Beech 110 SP965272 2011
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Silene dioica Red campion Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Lasiommata megera Wall brown Lepus europaeus Brown hare
36 Site: Houghton Hall Grid reference: TL0225235 Area: 17.8 ha (historic 37.2 ha) Site use: Amenity Public access: Open access Official designations: None Current condition and management: Wildflower seed has been sown over the entire grassland area, with follow-up management by hay cutting. 24/02/11: The entire site is being restored. There are several veteran trees in the main field, and some clump planting appears to have taken place in recent years. The grounds only appear to cover the area south of the hall, perhaps a small terrace or garden. Now very much degraded. (HER 7024) BAP habitat category: Restore (under active management)
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Verbascum nigrum Dark mullein * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Cupido minimus Small blue
37 Site: Howbury Hall Park Grid reference: TL098520 Area: 30.0 ha (historic 89.2 ha) Site use: Agriculture Public access: RoW Official designations: None Current condition and management: 23/04/07: The site appears to have veteran trees, and the sward was being grazed by sheep at the time of the visit. A proper survey was not possible. The southern half of the park is still in good condition, with specimen park trees and some woodland remaining, mainly in pasture. The north park seems to have been turned over to arable and lost many of its trees. (HER 7004) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock occidentalis Dendrocopos minor subsp. Lesser spotted Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling comminutus woodpecker vulgaris Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing flavissima
38 Site: Ickwell Bury Grid reference: TL139457 Area: 26.2 ha (historic 237.8 ha) Site use: Bedford School conservation reserve Public access: None Official designations: County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: 17/05/11: There are currently no plans to graze the site, however it is in a relatively sympathetic management regime BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Alnus glutinosa Alder 18 82 1994 Betula pendula Silver birch 15 62 TL149456 1994 Betula pendula Silver birch 16 55 TL149456 1994 Fagus sylvatica Beech 27 120 1994 Quercus cerris Turkey oak 35 119 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 23 232 TL145456 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 30 156 1994 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 179 1992 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Ajuga reptans Bugle Primula veris Cowslip Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Conopodium majus Pignut Pulicaria dysenterica Common fleabane Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Geranium pratense Meadow crane’s-bill Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Bufo bufo Common toad Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak Lasiommata megera Wall brown
39 Site: Linden House Grounds Grid reference: SP981328 Area: 7 ha (historic 7.8 ha) Site use: Public access: Footpaths Official designations: none Current condition and management: The site nowappears to consist of veteran trees in an arable field. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrostis capillaris Common bent Primula veris Cowslip Conopodiumajus Pignut Primula vulgaris Primrose Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Helictotrichon pubescens* Downy oat-grass Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Pimpinella saxifrage Burnet-saxifrage Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Plantago media Hoary plantain Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Dendrocopos minor subsp Lesser spotted Lepus europaeus Brown hare comminutus woodpecker Lasiommata megera Wall brown Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher
40
Site: The Lodge, Sandy d n
a e
’ v i s
Grid reference: TL189478 t h a c e o r r C
Area: 24.6 ha (historic 26.3 ha) u
s a i e e h c t g
n
Site use: Nature reserve r n e e a c r d i L n
Public access: On marked trails only O ‘ u s
n y d o b e Official designations: County Wildlife Site, m c o t n m o
RSPB Reserve e o h c i P l C Current condition and management: BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 16 157 1992 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 17 134 1992 Betula pendula Silver birch 18 64 1992 Betula pubescens Downybirch 13 68 1992 Betula pubescens Downybirch 17 55 1992 Betula pubescens Downybirch 11 53 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 159 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 22 155 1988 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 20 154 1988 Cedrus atlantica var glauca Blue Atlas cedar 24 120 1988 Cedrus deodara Deodarcedar 20 132 1992 Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 16 138 1992 Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 20 122 1992 Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 24 102 1992 Pseudotsaga menziesii Doublas fir 20 106 1992 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant redwood 30 179 1988 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Aira praecox Early hair-grass Filago minima* Small cudweed Agrostis capillaris Common bent Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Ajuga reptans Bugle Galium uliginosum* Fen bedstraw Anchusa arvensis Bugloss Myosotis discolor* Changing forget-me- not Anthriscus caucalis Bur chervil Ornithopus perpusillus* Bird’s-foot Carex hirta Hairy sedge Plantago coronopus Buck’s-horn plantain Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Pteridium aquilinum Bracken lamprocarpa sedge Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy hair-grass Saxifraga granulate* Meadow saxifrage Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Spergularia rubra Sand spurrey * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Lullula arborea Woodlark Anthus trivialis Tree pipt Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail flavissima Arvicola terrestris Water vole Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Bufo bufo Common toad Passer domesticus House sparrow Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Perdix perdix Grey partridge subsp. autochthona/ cannabina
41 Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coccothraustes Hawfinch Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit coccothraustes palustris/dresseri Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock occidentalis Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch pileata Dendrocopos minor subsp. Lesser spotted Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak comminutus woodpecker Emberiza calandra subsp. Corn bunting Streptopelia turtur Turtle dove calandra/clanceyi Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Epidalea calamita Natterjack toad Turdus torquatus Ring ouzel Larus argentatus subsp. Herring gull Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing argenteus Lasiommata megera Wall brown
42 Site: Luton Hoo Grid reference: TL105183 Area: 457.6 ha (historic 621.8 ha) Site use: Commercial Public access: Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II*, County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: This park is managed as part of the grounds of a hotel and golf course, according to a management plan produced via a section 106 agreement. The site is known to be entomologically important. The extensive park, combining arable and pasture, is largely enclosed by woodland, and to the west by a narrow belt of trees with park trees remaining to the north and west of the house. The dominant feature, the River Lea, widens into two sinuous lakes running along the whole length of the park close to the east boundary, entering at the north and leaving at the south, separated and screened from the road by a wide belt of trees. (HER 6989) BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer campestre Fieldmaple 12 96 2003 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 20 58 2003 Acer platanoides Norway maple 20 140 1992 Calocedrus decarens Incense cedar 24 107 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 17 184 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 148 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 430 TL107182 2003 Cedrus deodara Deodarcedar 20 127 1992 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 23 200 1992 Chameocyparis pisifera ‘plumosa’ Swamp cypress 10 219 1992 Cupressas macrocarpa Monterey cypress 23 162 1992 Cupressas macrocarpa Monterey cypress 20 114 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 32 138 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 29 125 1992 Fagus sylvatica ‘purpurea’ Copperbeech 25 147 1992 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 28 113 1992 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 26 112 1992 Pinus nigra var caramanica Crimean pine 28 104 1992 Pinus nigra var maritime Corsican pine 23 102 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 230 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 221 2006 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 177 2003 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 26 169 1992 Quercus rubra Redoak 19 104 1992 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant redwood 20 192 1992 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 32 149 1992 Tilia petiolaris Weeping silver lime 31 108 1992 Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved lime 166 2003 Ulmus carpinifolia Smooth-leaved elm 24 122 1992
43 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Agrostis capillaris Common bent Ononis repens* Common restharrow Ajuga reptans Bugle Pastinaca sativa Wild parsnip Bromopsis erecta* Upright brome Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Campanula glomerata* Clustered bellflower Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Primula veris Cowslip Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pulicaria dysenterica Common fleabane Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited Prickly- Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup lamprocarpa sedge Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Centaurium erythraea Common centaury Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Conopodium majus Pignut Silene dioica Red campion Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Verbascum nigrum Dark mullein Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Veronica officinalis* Heath Speedwell Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Viola hirta* Hairy violet Linum catharticum* Fairy flax * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Mustela putorius Polecat Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Passer domesticus House sparrow subsp.autochthona/ cannabina Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Erinaceus europaeus West European Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing hedgehog Lepus europaeus Brown hare
44 Site: Melchbourne Park Grid reference: TL029652 Area: 75.9 ha (historic 147.6 ha) Site use: Residence Public access: RoW only Official designations: County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: 21/03/11: The site is a mixture of parkland and arable with veteran trees, although some of the arable fields no longer have trees. The sward in the accessible fields appears to be improved or semi-improved, with nettles and other nutrient indicators visible. The site is grazed by sheep. This appears to be a well-preserved extensive 18th century landscape park with interesting design features. (HER 6991) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Primula vulgaris Primrose Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Pteridium aquilinum Bracken * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphila Small heath
45 Site: Milton Bryan Manor Grounds Grid reference: SP973304 Area: 2.9 ha (historic 7.2 ha) Site use: Public access: None Official designations: Conservation Area Current condition and management: There appears to be some park area remaining on the east side of the road, however the trees do not appear to be quite veteran yet. The site might not qualify as BAP habitat. The sward is horse grazed. This is a degraded park. The park area is rather barren with fewsingle trees, some belts and much arable. (HER 7017) BAP habitat category: Unknown
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name
* denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coccothraustes Hawfinch Lasiommata megera Wall brown coccothraustes Erinaceus europaeus West European hedgehog
46 Site: Moggerhanger Park Grid reference: TL135487 Area: 11.0 ha (historic 77.1 ha) Site use: Commercial Public access: Permissive access Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II, County Wildlife Site Current condition and management: 12/05/09: The site is under an agri-environment scheme. A Biodiversity Action Plan for the site was completed in December 2009. ‘The area is cut usually once a month by a contractor and the cuttings are left in situ. Unlike section 1, the vegetation in section 2 is very long. Parts of this area are managed by Shetland sheep grazing although there are too few livestock to have a significant effect on the vegetation growth. The rest of the area is left to grow long throughout the summer. The grassland around the perimeter of the parkland is dominated by common nettle and bramble.
The greatest floral diversity was observed along the grass verge west of the drive that runs from the park entrance to the bungalow. This area contains a range of good quality herbs and finer grasses. The parkland contains a range of mature trees including lime, pedunculate oak, turkey oak (Quercus cerris), ash, horse chestnut, walnut (Juglans regia), beech (Fagus sylvatica), copper beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea) and sycamore.’ BAP habitat category: Achieve condition (under active management)
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer campestre Fieldmaple 18 65 2005 Acer campestre Field maple 59 2001 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 16 51 2001 Cratagus monogyna Hawthorn 14 40 2001 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 169 2006 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 135 2006 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Agrostis capillaries Common bent Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Conopodium majus Pignut Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Silene dioica Red campion Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Primula vulgaris Primrose * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Erinaceus europaeus West European Perdix perdix Grey partridge hedgehog Lepus europaeus Brown hare Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri
47 Site: New Park Grid reference: SP938530 Area: 59.0 ha (historic 59.0 ha) Site use: Public access: None Official designations: Current condition and management: 21/03/11: Veteran beech, oak and cedar are well spaced in this park, and there has been some recent new planting. While the timing of the visit was not optimal the sward does appear to be improved, and probably sheep grazed. The park is bounded to the west by the River Ouse, to the east by Harrold to Turvey Lane, and to the south by the village of Turvey. There are main clumps and single trees including Holm oak and pines. The park is still pasture and in good condition. (HER 6983) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Plantago media Hoary plantain Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Primula veris Cowslip Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Anguilla anguilla European eel Lepus europaeus Brown hare Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Lutra lutra European otter Lasiommata megera Wall brown Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak
48 Site: Old Warden Park Grid reference: TL146440 Area: 33.6 ha (historic 226.3 ha) Site use: Shuttleworth Agricultural College Public access: RoW, road Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II* Current condition and management: Much of the parkland around Shuttleworth College is grazed by sheep. The sward is improved grassland. The park is bounded to the south by Warden Warren and Hassocks Woodland, and retains many mature trees, particularly to the south. Two lakes dominate the park. (HER 6996) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Alnus glutinosa Alder 68 1999 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 19 166 1991 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 116 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 105 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 214 1999 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 29 211 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 188 1999 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 185 1999 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 26 172 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 168 1999 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 24 161 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 26 158 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 24 153 1991 Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved lime 130 1999 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 32 163 1993 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 24 156 1991 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 24 156 1991 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 32 153 1993 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Conopodium majus Pignut * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Emberiza calandra subsp. Corn bunting Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling calandra/clanceyi vulgaris Larus argentatus Herring gull Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush subsp.argenteus clarkei Lasiommata megera Wall brown
49 Site: Southill Park Grid reference: TL139424 Area: 56.9 ha (historic 330.2 ha) Site use: Private residence, cricket club Public access: None Official designations: Registered Park or Garden Grade II Area Current condition and management: The site could not be accessed but is known to be grazed by heritage breed cattle. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Betula pendula Silver birch 25 79 1993 Cedrus deodara Deodarcedar 26 149 1993 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 18 223 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 26 143 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 31 137 1993 Pinus nigra ssp. nigra Austrian pine 28 104 1993 Pinus ponderosa Western yellow pine 26 103 1993 Pinus radiata Monterey pine 19 137 1993 Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 30 113 1993 Pseudotsaga menziesii Douglas fir 26 106 1993 Quercus cerris Turkey oak 31 140 1993 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant redwood 32 180 1993 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Primula veris Cowslip Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Primula vulgaris Primrose * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Lepus europaeus Brown hare Zootica vivipera Common lizard
50 t s u r T
Site: Stockgrove Park d n a
Grid reference: SP916300 s n e e
Area: 10.8 ha (historic 52.5 ha) r G /
Site use: Amenity g n i v r I
l Public access: Open access i h P
Official designations: County Wildlife Site y b
o t
Current condition and management: o h P 20/01/11: A master plan is being prepared for Stockgrove, Oak Wood and Rushmere Park, and includes an application for Higher Level Stewardship to manage the parkland area of the site. Some restoration work (e.g., bracken control, gorse coppicing and tree removal) will be needed. BAP habitat category: Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 92 1999 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 83 1999 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 68 1999 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Aira praecox Early hair-grass Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Agrimonia procera Fragrant agrimony Myosotis discolor* Changing forget-me- not Agrostis capillaris Common bent Ornithopus perpusillus* Bird’s-foot Ajuga reptans Bugle Potentilla erecta* Tormentil Calluna vulgaris* Heather Primula vulgaris Primrose Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup lamprocarpa sedge Carex nigra* Common sedge Ranunculus flammula* Lesser spearwort Carex piulifer* Pill sedge Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Silene dioica Red campion Conopodium majus Pignut Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious Corydalis claviculata Climbing corydalis Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy hair-grass Ulex europaeus Gorse Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock occidentalis Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch pileata Lasiommata megera Wall brown Turdus philomelos subsp. Song thrush clarkei Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri
51 Site: Stockwood Park
d s i e n h c a t
n r Grid reference: TL188200 s e e a c d i m L n
o
Area: 33.4 ha (historic 109.0 ha) s u
h n T e
o s d u r Site use: Golf course, amenity m e a r m
h r o c o i f
Public access: Open access C
R
d e © v e
i t c Official designations: County Wildlife Site o t a n o e e r h c i Current condition and management: P l C Much of the original site is now Stockwood Golf Centre and quite a few veteran trees have been retained. The northern half of the park has not been converted and it appears that a tree planting programme is ongoing, in particular along the avenue leading north towards Farley Hill. Generally the estate retains many of its park trees and clumps, with some woodland belts. (HER 6985) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer campestre Field maple 61 1995 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 20 93 1996 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 14 78 1998 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 75 1998 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 18 162 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 21 195 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 21 178 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 22 205 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 25 217 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 129 1998 Fagus sylvatica Beech 25 148 1998 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 23 154 1996 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Potentilla erecta* Tormentil Agrostis capillaris Common bent Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Ajuga reptans Bugle Primula veris Cowslip Anthyllis vulneraria* Kidney vetch Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Campanula glomerata* Clustered bellflower Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Conopodium majus Pignut Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Scabiosa columbaria* Small scabious Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Geranium pratense Meadow crane’s-bill Silene dioica Red campion Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Stachys officinalis* Betony Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious Leontodon saxatilis* Lesser hawkbit Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Ulex europaeus Gorse Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage * denotes strong indicator species
52 BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Lasiommata megera Wall brown Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail subsp. autochthona/ flavissima cannabina Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Perdix perdix Grey partridge Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock occidentalis Erinaceus europaeus West European Streptopelia turtur Turtle dove hedgehog Larus argentatus subsp. Herring gull Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing argenteus
53 Site: Sutton Park Grid reference: TL217480 Area: 52.4 ha (historic 60.2 ha) Site use: Golf course Public access: Club members only Official designations: None Current condition and management: This site is now John O’Gaunt Golf Club. The greenskeeper does much management for wildlife, although the precise condition of the veteran trees and remaining grassland sward is unknown. Some early tree groups remain including the avenue in the south west corner, but much has been altered by the landscaping for the current golf course. (HER 7005) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 13 198 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 158 1992 Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Plantago media Hoary plantain Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Primula veris Cowslip Carex muricata ssp Small-fruited prickly- Pteridium aquilinum Bracken lamprocarpa sedge Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Conopodium majus Pignut Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Ulex europaeus Gorse Plantago coronopus Buck’s-horn plantain * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Arvicola terrestris Water vole Motacilla flava subsp Yellow wagtail flavissima Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Perdix perdix Grey partridge Erinaceus europaeus West European Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp Common bullfinch hedgehog pileata Lepus europaeus Brown hare Satyrium w-album White letter hairstreak Lutra lutra Otter Streptopelia turtur Turtle dove Micromys minutus Harvest mouse Zootica vivipera Common lizard
54 Site: Tempsford Hall Park Grid reference: TL167534 Area: 38.0 ha (historic 56.1 ha) Site use: Commercial Public access: None Official designations: Current condition and management: 11/03/11: There is no public access to the site, however veteran trees could be seen from both the Station Road and Everton Road gates. Dead wood has been left in situ and snags have been left. Some newer, protected plantings could also be seen. Cattle were seen grazing the park on a 2007 visit. Much of the park is under ridge and furrow. (HER 7001) BAP habitat category: Restore/Achieve condition
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Blackstonia perfoliata* Yellow-wort Oenanthe lachenalii* Parsley water-dropwort Bromopsis erecta* Upright brome Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Carduus nutans Musk thistle Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Sanguisorba officinalis* Great burnet Conopodium majus Pignut Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Silaum silaus* Pepper-saxifrage Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Viola hirta* Hairy violet * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Lepus europaeus Brown hare Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher
55 Site: Tingrith Park Grid reference: TL005327 Area: 35.5 ha (historic 73.0 ha) Site use: Agriculture? Public access: Footpath on periphery Official designations: None Current condition and management: 24/02/11: This extensive site more or less still occupies its 19th century extent. Trees are widely spaced and many are veteran, in particular along field boundaries. Fields that have been converted to arable production still retain their old parkland trees. The site is grazed by sheep; the sward consists of fine grasses but appears to be improved grassland. No recent tree planting could be seen at the time of the site visit. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrostis capillaris Common bent Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet saxifrage Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Conopodium majus Pignut Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Ulex europaeus Gorse * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Lasiommata megera Wall brown Lepus europaeus Brown hare
56 Site: Toddington Manor Grid reference: TL005293 Area: 5.7 ha (historic 124.4 ha) Site use: Private residence Public access: For a fee, certain times of year only Official designations: None Current condition and management: 04/06/07: A few veteran trees could be seen from the footpath, and recent protected plantings are evident. The cricket pitch section is mowed very close while the other fields are left longer. The veteran trees appear to be concentrated around the house itself. The sward condition is unknown. The head gardener’s blog (http://toddingtonmanor.blogspot.com) reveals that the site includes mature Cedar of Lebanon, Horse Chestnut, Silver lime and Copper beech among other specimen trees. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Alnus glutinosa Alder 25 54 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 16.5 182 TL001299 2003 Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrostis capillaris Common bent Primula vulgaris Primrose Anchusa arvensis Bugloss Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Carex hirta Hairy sedge Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Conopodium majus Pignut Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Galium uliginosum* Fen bedstraw Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Valeriana dioica* Marsh valerian Lychnis flos-cuculi* Ragged-Robin * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Erinaceus europaeus West European Lepus europaeus Brown hare hedgehog Lasiommata megera Wall brown
57 Site: Tofte Manor Grid reference: SP989602 Area: 7.5 ha (historic 2.4 ha) Site use: Commercial Public access: None Official designations: None Current condition and management: 24/02/11: The site could not be accessed; however as a venue for hire the sward is likely well-tended and mown lawn. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference
Grassland indicator species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Ajuga reptans Bugle Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Anacamptis pyramidalis* Pyramidal orchid Linum catharticum* Fairy flax Bromopsis erecta* Upright brome Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Caltha palustris* Marsh marigold Plantago media Hoary plantain Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Carex hirta Hairy sedge Primula veris Cowslip Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Primula vulgaris Primrose Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Cirsium eriophorum* Woolly thistle Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Conopodium majus Pignut Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Knautia arvensis* Field scabious Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass * denotes strong indicator species BAP species (based on historic parkland boundaries) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphilus Small heath Lepus europaeus Brown hare Erynnis tages Dingy skipper Pyrgus malvae Grizzled skipper Lasiommata megera Wall brown
58 Site: Turvey Abbey Park Grid reference: SP949517 Area: 68.5 ha (historic 102.9 ha) Site use: Convent and monestery, agriculture Public access: Footpath, bridlepath Official designations: None Current condition and management: 20/06/07: No veteran trees were evident at the visit, although some recent plantings could be seen. The sward appears to be improved grassland and is grazed by sheep, cattle and horses. The park is still pasture with many mature trees including singles, belts etc. Many of these date from the first half of the 19th century when there was much input by then owner John Higgins. The modern part beyond the Bromham Road is not in such good condition, but still retains its parkland character. This is a well-preserved, extensive landscape park with interesting designed features. (HER 6984) BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer campestre Field maple 12 108 2000 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 8 72 1991 Acer campestre Field maple 53 1991 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 10 48 1991 Acer campestre Fieldmaple 16 47 1991 Fagus sylvatica Beech 130 1991 Malus sylvestris Crab apple 52 1991 Malus sylvestris Crabapple 13 48 1991 Malus sylvestris Crabapple 12 41 1991 Malus sylvestris Crabapple 15 33 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 163 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 163 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 142 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 140 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 130 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 115 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 108 1991 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 106 1991 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Anacamptis pyramidalis* Pyramidal orchid Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Carex hirta Hairy sedge Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coenonympha pamphila Small heath Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Dendrocopos minor subsp. Lesser spotted Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak comminutus woodpecker Lasiommata megera Wall brown Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling
59 Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name vulgaris Lepus europaeus Brown hare Triturus cristatus Great crested newt Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail Vanellus vanellus Northerm lapwing flavissima
60
d
Site: Turvey Hall Grounds e c n
e e
Grid reference: SP938510 c i v l i
t , y a e e l Area: 29.3 ha (historic 161.3 ha) r d C r
e a e c Y
Site use: h
t n s
r e e e c i m d
Public access: L
a n
J s u
n y e Official designations: o b s
u m o t e r m
o
Current condition and management: r o h o P f C 20/06/07: The site is known to be sheep grazed although none were on site at the time of the visit. Old beech and oak were visible; the sward appeared to be improved grassland. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Populus nigra ssp. Black poplar 24 145 1999 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Ajuga reptans Bugle Pastinaca sativa Wild parsnip Anacamptis pyramidalis* Pyramidal orchid Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Bromopsis erecta* Upright brome Plantago media Hoary plantain Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Primula veris Cowslip Centaurea scabiosa* Greater knapweed Primula vulgaris Primrose Cirsium acaule* Dwarf thistle Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Cirsium eriophorum* Woolly thistle Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Sanguisorba minor ssp. Salad burnet minor* Conopodium majus Pignut Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Trifolium ochroleucon* Sulphur clover Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Viola hirta* Hairy violet Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy * denotes strong indicator species BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Lepus europaeus Brown hare Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Lasiommata megera Wall brown Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing
61 Site: Woburn Park
s i e
Grid reference: SP966325 h c t d
n r n e e a c
Area: 960.5 ha (historic 960.5 ha) d i s L r n
s e u
n d
Site use: Deer park e o n s u u m a e r S m
Public access: Footpaths, bridleways r o n o f C a
I
d Official designations: Registered Park or e © v e
i t c o t a
Garden Grade I, County Wildlife Site n o e e r h c i Current condition and management: P l C BAP habitat category: Maintain
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 22 121 1992 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 144 SP953331 2002 Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut 17 162 1992 Alnus glutinosa Alder 20 82 1992 Alnus glutinosa Alder 21 63 1992 Alnus glutinosa Alder 21 61 1992 Alnus glutinosa Alder 125 SP952331 2007 Betula pendula Silver birch 22 68 1993 Betula pubescens Downybirch 19 75 1993 Betula pubescens Downybirch 20 50 1994 Calocedrus deccurrens Incense cedar 22 118 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 20 111 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 21 81 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 25 76 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 99 SP953331 2007 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 18.5 101 1959 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 19 81 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 169 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 24 168 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 150 1992 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 30 141 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 17 154 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 27 135 1993 Castnaea sativa Sweet chestnut 26 129 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 28 130 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 16 133 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 28 148 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 28 134 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 20 138 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 34 130 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 34 125 1993 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 24 146 1994 Cedrus atlantica var glauca Blue Atlas cedar 27 162 1992 Cedrus deodara Deodarcedar 22 118 1992 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 31 222 1992 Chamaecyparus lawsoniana Lawson cypress 22 100 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 35 181 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 28 145 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 26 144 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 33 143 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 18 130 1992 Fagus sylvatica Beech 138 2006 Fagus sylvatica Beech 21 135 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 31 171 1993
62 Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Fagus sylvatica Beech 14 158 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 32 130 1993 Fagus sylvatica Beech 27 136 1994 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 27 141 1992 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 15 125 1992 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 19 107 1992 Juglans nigra Black walnut 31 121 1992 Pinus nigra var caramanica Crimean pine 35 151 1992 Platanus x acerfolia London plane 25 112 1992 Prunus avium Wild cherry 20 50 1992 Prunus avium Wild cherry 92 2004 Prunus avium Wild cherry 107 2004 Prunus avium Wild cherry 16 59 1993 Prunus avium Wild cherry 22 62 1993 Prunus avium Wild cherry 15 69 1993 Prunus avium Wild cherry 22 70 1994 Prunus avium Wild cherry 23 67 1993 Prunus avium Wild cherry 15 60 1993 Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir 31 104 1992 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 24 239 1993 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 27 218 1993 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 28 214 1993 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 25 196 1993 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 22 180 1992 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 28 179 1992 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 17 157 1992 Quercus petraea Sessile oak 27 213 2006 Quercus cerris Turkey oak 29 133 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 17 296 SP959336 2007 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 17 257 2008 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 27 256 2008 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 25 236 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 28 232 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 25 230 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 226 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 218 2003 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 13 223 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 24 218 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 19 214 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 21 210 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 25 208 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 21 204 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 26 199 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 26 199 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 17 198 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 196 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 12 196 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 14 195 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 15 195 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 30 195 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 15 194 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 192 1993 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 192 SP963324 2007 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 22 189 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 189 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 27 185 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 21 185 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 24 184 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 181 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 25 179 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 23 177 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 177 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 18 177 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 29 176 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 23 176 1992
63 Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 175 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 19 171 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 17 169 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 21 163 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 24 183 1993 Quercus x hispanica Lucombe oak 15 107 1992 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant redwood 33 224 1992 Taxus baccata Yew 16 164 2008 Thuja plicata Westernredcedar 17 112 1992 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 33 137 1992 Tilia platyphyllos Large leaved lime 26 121 1992 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Achillea ptarmica* Sneezewort Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Agrostis capillaris Common bent Potentilla erecta* Tormentil Ajuga reptans Bugle Potentilla sterilis* Barren strawberry Anchusa arvensis Bugloss Primula veris Cowslip Bromus commutatus* Meadow brome Primula vulgaris Primrose Calluna vulgaris* Heather Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Carex hirta Hairy sedge Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Ranunculus flammula* Lesser spearwort lamprocarpa sedge Carex panacea* Carnation sedge Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Carex spicata* Spiked sedge Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Conopodium majus Pignut Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Cystius europaeus Broom Serratula tinctoria* Saw-wort Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Silaum silaus* Pepper-saxifrage Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Silene dioica Red campion Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Stachys officinalis* Betony Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Succisa pratensis* Devil’s-bit scabious Juncus compressus Round-fruited rush Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Leontodon saxatilis* Lesser hawkbit Ulex europaeus Gorse Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Valeriana dioica* Marsh valerian Luzula multiflora Heath wood-rush Veronica officinalis* Heath speedwell Lychnis flos-cuculi* Ragged-Robin * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Bufo bufo Common toad Mustela putorius Polecat Coccothraustes Hawfinch Passer domesticus House sparrow coccothraustes Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Dendrocopos minor subsp. Lesser spotted Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch comminutus woodpecker pileata Erinaceus europaeus West European Satyrium w-album White-letter hairstreak hedgehog Larus argentatus subsp. Herring gull Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling argenteus vulgaris Lepus europaeus Brown hare Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing Locustella naevia Common grasshopper warbler
64 Site: Woodbury Park Grid reference: TL211520 Area: 73.7 ha (historic 88.2 ha) Site use: Residential Public access: RoW Official designations: None Current condition and management: The park is largely denuded of trees and much is now large arable fields. BAP habitat category: Restore
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 133 1999 Castanea sativa Sweet chestnut 129 1999 Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn 55 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 110 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 112 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 30 130 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 109 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 115 1999 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 104 1999 Ilex aquifolium Holly 17 64 1999 Malus sylvestris Apple 40 1999 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 152 1999 Tilia sp. Lime 157 1999 Tilia cordata Small-leaved lime 17 205 TL212522 2008 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrostis capillaries Common bent Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Campanula rotundifolia* Harebell Plantago coronopus Buck’s-horn plantain Carduus nutans Musk thistle Primula veris Cowslip Carex hirta Hairy sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Carex muricata ssp. Small-fruited prickly- Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane lamprocarpa sedge Clinopodium vulgare* Wild basil Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass Leontodon saxatilis* Lesser hawkbit * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Passer domesticus House sparrow Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Passer montanus Tree sparrow subsp. autochthona/ cannabina Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Streptopelia turtur Turtle dove Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Sturnus vulgaris subsp. Common starling vulgaris Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow wagtail Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing flavissima Musciapa striata Spotted flycatcher
65 Site: Wrest Park e v i t
Grid reference: TL095357 a e r C
s
Area: 46.1 ha (historic 487.1 ha) i h t
r
Site use: Commercial e d e n c u
Public access: Parkland accessible with n d e e c i
purchase of a ticket to view the house c L
n s e n c o i
Official designations: Registered Park or l
m o
Garden Grade I, County Wildlife Site t m o o h Current Condition and management: P C 03/09/09: The park is a mixture of long and short grass. The long grass is cut for hay annually in July; the short grass areas are cut more frequently. The long grass is species- rich neutral grassland. Veteran trees (beech and yew) are present, as are occasional large trees which have not yet reached veteran status. BAP habitat category: Maintain
Biodiversity Veteran trees Scientific name Common name Height Dia. Grid Date (m) (cm) reference Aesculus x carnea Red horse chestnut 15 104 1992 Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut 31 164 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 19 78 1992 Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 20 75 1992 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 28 185 1992 Fagus sylvatica ‘purpurea’ Copperbeech 23 131 1992 Fraxinus excelsior Ash 25.5 111 2002 Liriodendrum tulipifera Tulip tree 25 130 1992 Pinus jeffreyi Jeffrey pine 24 102 1992 Platanus x acerifolia London plane 31 131 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 20 159 1992 Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 28 159 1992 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant redwood 34 258 1992 Taxodium distichum Swamp cypress 20 125 1992 Tilia x europaea Commonlime 27 170 1992 Grassland indicator species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Ajuga reptans Bugle Lysimachia nummularia Creeping-Jenny Carex flacca* Glaucous sedge Plantago media Hoary plantain Eleocharis palustris Common spike-rush Primula veris Cowslip Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw Pulicaria dysinterica Common fleabane Hordeum secalinum Meadow barley Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Senecio erucifolius Hoary ragwort Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat-grass * denotes strong indicator species
BAP species Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Alauda arvensis Skylark Lasiommata megera Wall brown Bufo bufo Common toad Poecile palustris subsp. Marsh tit palustris/dresseri Carduelis cannabina Common linnet Prunella modularis subsp. Dunnock subsp. autochthona/ occidentalis cannabina
66 Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Coccothraustes Hawfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula subsp. Common bullfinch coccothraustes pileata Cuculus canorus Common cuckoo Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing
67