SSSI) Notified Under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, As Amended

COUNTY: HAMPSHIRE/DORSET/WILTSHIRE SITE NAME: RIVER AVON SYSTEM Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, as amended. Environment Agency Region: South Wessex Water Company: Wessex Water PLC, Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Company Local Planning Authorities: Hampshire County Council, Dorset County Council, Wiltshire County Council, East Dorset District Council, New Forest District Council, Christchurch Borough Council, Salisbury District Council, Kennet District Council, West Wilts District Council National Grid Reference: SZ 163923 (Christchurch Harbour) to: SU 073583 (Avon) ST 867413 (Wylye) ST 963297 (Nadder), SU 170344 (Bourne) SZ 241147 (Dockens Water) Extent of River SSSI: Approx 205.11 km, 507.79 (ha.) Ordnance Survey Sheet: (1:50 000) 173 183 184 195 Date notified (under 1981 Act): 16 December 1996 Other Information: A new river SSSI. This site is listed as Grade 1* quality in ‘A Nature Conservation Review’ edited by D A Ratcliffe, C.U.P., 1977. Parts of the site are separately notified as: Lower Woodford Water Meadows SSSI (1987); East Harnham Meadows (1995); Britford Water Meadows (1987); Avon Valley (Bickton- Christchurch) SSSI (1993). The site is significant for the following habitat and species covered by Council Directive 92/43/EEC on The Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna: Habitat Floating vegetation of Ranunculus of plain and submountainous rivers Species Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus Annex IIa Brook lamprey Lampetra planeri Annex IIa Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Annex IIa, Va Bullhead Cotto gobius Annex IIa Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail Vertigo moulinsiana Annex IIa Parts of the site lie in the Avon Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and/or the West Wiltshire Downs and Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It also passes through the New Forest. Description and Reasons for Notification: Key Features The River Avon and its tributaries are of national and international importance for their wildlife communities. The Avon is richer and more varied than in most chalk streams with over 180 species of aquatic plant having been recorded, one of the most diverse fish faunas in Britain and a wide range of aquatic invertebrates. It rises in the Pewsey Vale as a network of clay streams fed by chalk springs. These converge to a chalk river running through Salisbury Plain. At Salisbury this is joined by the main Wiltshire tributaries and develops into a large calcareous river flowing over more acid sands and clay as it passes the New Forest and the Dorset Heaths. The site includes the Dockens Water, a largely unmodified acid stream draining New Forest heathlands. The Wiltshire tributaries, of interest in their own right and with contrasting geologies, are included primarily on account of their importance, with the Avon itself, for internationally rare or threatened species (Ranunculus vegetation, sea lamprey, brook lamprey, bullhead, Atlantic salmon and Desmoulin’s whorl snail). The Bourne section is a pure chalk stream, the Wylye rises in clay and develops into a chalk stream and the Nadder is influenced by greensand but again primarily calcareous in character. In the upper reaches of the system the rivers support outstanding chalk stream fisheries. The surrounding land is mainly grazed or arable. From Salisbury to Ringwood the floodplain is much broader and the river becomes braided where old water meadow channels exist. The floodplain is largely given over to grazing. The upper reaches of the rivers are largely fed from chalk springs and in the Avon itself flows are relatively constant. The water quality of the Avon and northern tributaries are affected by high levels of phosphates and nitrates. These appear to adversely affect the flora, especially downstream of sewage discharges. Flora The plant communities in the Avon and the three northern tributaries are characteristic of a calcareous river with a clay influence. The water crowfoot Ranunculus penicillatus var. pseudofluitans is dominant through most of the river. Other water crowfoot species are present, reflecting different conditions. In the upper reaches R. peltatus occurs, in the middle reaches R. fluitans and in the lower, more sluggish, river R. circinatus. The Dockens Water supports R. flammula and R. omiophyllus which are characteristic more of bogs than rivers. Two other groups of aquatic plants are characteristic of the different geological influences. The starworts Calitriche obtusangula and C. platycarpa grow with water crowfoot in clumps on the river beds. C. stagnalis is more frequent in the chalk tributaries and C. hamulata in the Dockens Water. Pondweeds reflect the more enriched nature of the Avon itself with Potomageton pectinatus and P. perfoliatus in the upper reaches, and P. lucens, P. silicifolius (a hybrid between the last two species) and P. berchtoldii in the lower section. In the more acid Dockens Water bog pondweed P. polygonifolius and broad- leaved pondweed P. natans are found. The influence of the more acid sands is also illustrated by the occurrence of common spike-rush Eleocharis palustris and hemlock water- dropwort Oenanthe crocata. Other species of the channel flora in the Avon include spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum, arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolius, lesser water-parsnip Berula erecta and fool’s watercress Apium nodiflorum. Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus occurs in both its submergent and emergent forms, perhaps its fullest expression in a British river. The nationally scarce river water dropwort Oenanthe fluviatilis is found in the Avon and the Wylye, and the locally important hemlock water dropwort Oenanthe crocata also occurs in the system, although more characteristically at the river edge. Adjacent and associated habitats comprise swamp, wet woodland and flood pasture habitats that are now rare both locally and nationally, although they would once have dominated the floodplains of the upper Avon. The swamp communities are dominated by sweet grass Glyceria maxima, common reed Phragmites australis or lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis. These are especially important habitats for invertebrates and birds. The wet woodlands are dominated by alder Alnus glutinosa. Their ground flora is governed by the water levels, with nettles Urtica dioca on dryer ground and greater tussock sedge Carex paniculata in wetter areas. There are small stands of mixed alder-ash Fraxinus excelsior woodland, whose ground flora is characterised by creeping jenny Lysimachia nemorum. The site includes small fragments of agriculturally unimproved flood pasture. These are dominated by three rare grassland types: meadow foxtail-great burnet Alopecurus pratensis- Sanguisorba officianalis, crested dog’s tail-black knapweed Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra and crested dog’s tail-marsh marigold C. cristatus-Caltha palustris. These flower rich grasslands are relics of traditional grazing systems once common throughout Wiltshire’s river valleys. Their swards are more productive without fertilisers than many other grassland types, however they are inferior by modern agricultural standards and most have been lost to drainage and fertilisation. Invertebrates The invertebrate fauna of the Avon is extremely rich and contains most of the species associated with a large river running through calcareous areas. In the upper stretches, over clay, there is a reasonable range of mayfly species and a variety of gastropods. The middle reaches have the most diverse fauna, again especially mayflies and mollusca, including the very localised Baetis atrebatinus. Tall fen habitats are notable for the presence of the internationally important Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail. From the lower river two species of aquatic mollusc have been recorded: Valvata macrostoma (vulnerable status) and the pea mussel Pisidium tenuilineatum (rare status), both inhabitants of slow flowing waters Birds The river system and its adjacent vegetation provide a variety of habitats for breeding, wintering and migrating birds. The lower Avon supports a good breeding populations of kingfisher Alcedo atthis, reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus and sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. It is also important as a feeding site for passage birds, in particular common sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos, green sandpiper Tringa ochropus and garganey Anas querquedula. Several pairs of the rare Cettis warbler Cettia cetti are associated with the riverine habitats. Around Salisbury and in the upper reaches of the system birds breeding on the river include little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis, kingfisher and mute swan. Fringing vegetation is used by reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, sedge and reed warblers.

Fish The system has an extremely diverse fish fauna with more species recorded in the Avon than in any other British river. The renowned salmonid fisheries, with wild populations of migratory sea trout Salmo trutta, brown trout and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. A wide range of coarse fish are present, including bullhead Cottus gobio, minnow Phoxinus phoxinus, 3-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, dace Leuciscus leuciscus, stone loach Noemacheilus barbatulus, pike Esox lucius, grayling Thymallus thymallus, eel Anguilla anguilla, perch Perca fluviatilis, roach Rutilus rutilus, gudgeon Gobio gobio, bleak Alburnus alburnus. The system is notable for sea Petromyzon marinus and brook lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, the latter having particularly important spawning areas in the upper reaches. Mammals The system as a whole is well used by water voles Arvicola terrestris and water shrews Neomys fodiens, with occasional recent evidence of otter Lutra lutra. UK SAC data form

NATURA 2000 STANDARD DATA FORM FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS (SPA) FOR SITES ELIGIBLE FOR IDENTIFICATION AS SITES OF COMMUNITY IMPORTANCE (SCI) AND FOR SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SAC)

1. Site identification:

1.1 Type K 1.2 Site code UK0013016

1.3 Compilation date 199803 1.4 Update 200105

1.5 Relationship with other Natura 2000 sites U K 9 0 1 1 0 9 1

1.6 Respondent(s) International Designations, JNCC, Peterborough

1.7 Site name River Avon

1.8 Site indication and designation classification dates date site proposed as eligible as SCI 199803 date confirmed as SCI 200412 date site classified as SPA date site designated as SAC 200504

2. Site location: 2.1 Site centre location longitude latitude 01 49 24 W 51 06 14 N

2.2 Site area (ha) 498.24 2.3 Site length (km)

2.5 Administrative region NUTS code Region name % cover

UK561 Hampshire 26.13% UK631 Dorset 11.38% UK613 Wiltshire 62.31%

2.6 Biogeographic region X Alpine Atlantic Boreal Continental Macaronesia Mediterranean

River Avon Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 1 UK SAC data form 3. Ecological information:

3.1 Annex I habitats Habitat types present on the site and the site assessment for them:

Annex I habitat % cover Representati Relative Conservation Global vity surface status assessment

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the 95 A B B A Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation Alkaline fens 2 D Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus 1 D excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)

3.2 Annex II species Population Site assessment Resident Migratory Species name Breed Winter Stage Population Conservation Isolation Global Vertigo moulinsiana >10,000 - - - B B C A Austropotamobius Very - - - D pallipes rare Petromyzon marinus Present - - - C B C B Commo Lampetra planeri - - - C B C B n 501- Salmo salar - - - C C C B 1000 Commo Cottus gobio - - - C A C B n Lutra lutra Rare - - - D

4. Site description

4.1 General site character Habitat classes % cover Marine areas. Sea inlets Tidal rivers. Estuaries. Mud flats. Sand flats. Lagoons (including saltwork basins) Salt marshes. Salt pastures. Salt steppes Coastal sand dunes. Sand beaches. Machair Shingle. Sea cliffs. Islets Inland water bodies (standing water, running water) 95.0 Bogs. Marshes. Water fringed vegetation. Fens 2.0 Heath. Scrub. Maquis and garrigue. Phygrana 2.0 Dry grassland. Steppes Humid grassland. Mesophile grassland Alpine and sub-alpine grassland Improved grassland Other arable land Broad-leaved deciduous woodland 1.0 Coniferous woodland Evergreen woodland Mixed woodland Non-forest areas cultivated with woody plants (including orchards, groves, vineyards, dehesas) Inland rocks. Screes. Sands. Permanent snow and ice Other land (including towns, villages, roads, waste places, mines, industrial sites) Total habitat cover 100%

River Avon Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 2 UK SAC data form

4.1 Other site characteristics

Soil & geology: Alluvium, Basic, Clay, Limestone, Neutral, Nutrient-rich Geomorphology & landscape: Floodplain, Island, Lowland, Valley

4.2 Quality and importance Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Vertigo moulinsiana • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Petromyzon marinus • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Lampetra planeri • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Salmo salar • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Cottus gobio • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom.

4.3 Vulnerability The main factors influencing the river system are: historical modifications for mills, water meadows and more recently land drainage; land use in the catchment, abstraction of water for public supply and agricultural uses, disposal of sewage effluents and management of the water courses for fishery, agricultural and other uses. Currently much of the system is considered to be at risk from reduced flows, elevated nutrient levels and changes to sediment processes resulting from previous channel modifications. Full restoration of the conservation status of the qualifying features will be a long-term process addressing major land use activities on a catchment scale through Local Environment Action Plans, Catchment Abstraction Plans and Water Level Management Plans as well as through management agreements with landowners/occupiers. Research is required to develop a fuller understanding of the relationships between the influential factors and the qualifying features in order to effectively address the key issues. A LIFE UK Rivers project has been started (1999) to enhance understanding and trial remedial treatments. Reviews of abstraction licences and discharge consents under the Habitats Regulations will help to address some of the water quality and quantity issues. Several projects are being undertaken to address these issues, including modification of abstraction and discharges through the 1999 UK Water Company Price Review, and a Landcare Project to address diffuse pollution issues.

5. Site protection status and relation with CORINE biotopes:

5.1 Designation types at national and regional level Code % cover UK00 (N/A) 0.2 UK04 (SSSI/ASSI) 99.8

River Avon Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 3 COUNTY: WILTSHIRE/HAMPSHIRE SITE NAME: SALISBURY PLAIN

Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Local Planning Authorities: WEST WILTSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL, Kennet District Council, Salisbury District Council, Wiltshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council

National Grid References: ST 950480 Area: 19689.91 (ha.) 48655.74 (ac.) SU 070500 SU 200490

Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:50,000: 173, 183, 184

Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:10,000: ST 84 NE ST 85 SE ST 94 NW ST 94 NE ST 94 SW ST 94 SE ST 95 SE ST 95 SW SU 04 NW SU 04 NE SU 04 SW SU 04 SE SU 05 NE SU 05 NW SU 05 SE SU 05 SW SU 14 NW SU 14 NE SU 14 SW SU 14 SE SU 15 SW SU 15 SE SU 15 NE SU 24 SW SU 24 NW SU 25 SW

Date Notified (Under 1949 Act): 1975 Date of Last Revision: Ð

Date Notified (Under 1981 Act): 29 January 1993 Date of Last Revision: Ð

Other Information: Grade 1 NCR Site: Bulford Down. National Trust: White Barrow. This site includes land which has been proposed for designation as a Special Protection Area under the EC Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

Salisbury Plain supports the largest known expanse of unimproved chalk downland in north west Europe, and represents 41% of BritainÕs remaining area of this rich wildlife habitat. In Britain and north-west Europe the majority of unimproved calcareous grassland has been lost largely through agricultural intensification resulting in chalk grassland becoming an internationally threatened wildlife habitat. Salisbury Plain was acquired by the Ministry of Defence for military training early this century, and this large expanse of lowland grassland has not been subject to intensive farming methods. As a result, 12933 ha. of chalk downland remains which supports 13 species of nationally rare and scarce plants, 67 species of rare and scarce invertebrates and forms a site of international importance for birds. In addition to chalk downland, this site supports scrub and woodland habitats, temporary and permanent pools and the Nine Mile River winterbourne.

The site occupies a plateau of Upper and Middle Chalk which rises in the heart of Wiltshire, and lies between Pewsey Vale to the north and the River Wylye valley to the south. Periglacial activity has created a complex topography of dry river valleys as well as extensive areas of flat land. The Devizes to Salisbury road and the River Avon valley divide the Plain into Western, Central and Eastern blocks. Eocene Reading Beds cap the peaks of Sidbury and Beacon hills, whilst superficial deposits of valley and river gravel lie along the Nine Mile River to the east and the Imber to Chitterne valley to the west.

A diversity of soil types, slope, aspect and past and present land-use has given rise to various grassland communities. Historical evidence suggests that large areas of grassland are of great antiquity, and areas which were cultivated at the beginning of this century have experienced nearly 100 years of chalk grassland re-colonisation. Parts of East Salisbury Plain and the periphery of Central and West comprise areas of grassland currently managed for grazing pasture and hay-cutting, whilst the middle of Centre and West are ungrazed.

A large proportion of Salisbury Plain supports upright brome Bromus erectus species rich grassland, within which a continuous floristic variation is seen. A widespread type on the Plain is characterised by an abundance of red fescue Festuca rubra, crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha, salad burnet Sanguisorba minor, ladyÕs bedstraw Galium verum, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, common rock-rose Helianthemum nummularium and dropwort Filipendula vulgaris. The high constancy of this last species is a distinctive feature of the upright brome grasslands on Salisbury Plain and is otherwise only known from one other site in Hampshire.

Where upright brome is less dominating, plants such as small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, dyerÕs greenweed Genista tinctoria, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa are characteristic associates. The rare and notable plants which occur here include burnt orchid Orchis ustulata, slender bedstraw Galium pumilum, field fleawort Senecio integrifolius and the nationally scarce British endemic early gentian Gentianella anglica.

Particularly associated with long established turf on thin rendzina soils, and rabbit grazed areas of the eastern and central ranges, are low-growing perennials including squinancy-wort Asperula cynanchica, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild thyme Thymus praecox, the nationally scarce bastard- toadflax Thesium humifusum and purple milk-vetch Astragalus danicus in its most southerly British station.

DevilÕs-bit scabious Succisa pratensis, saw-wort Serratula tinctoria and betony Stachys officinalis are all abundant and exemplify the oceanic character of the chalk grassland on the Plain, a feature which is confined to south-west England. Similarly restricted is a community in which dwarf sedge Carex humilis forms a conspicuous component. This type of grassland has its stronghold in Wiltshire and occurs on the less disturbed areas of the central ranges.

Herb diversity is generally lower in the tall upright brome dominated swards, but wild parsnip Pastinaca sativa, hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa are characteristic. Parasitic on the latter species is knapweed broomrape Orobanche elatior, occurring in greater quantity on the Plain than anywhere else in Britain. False-oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius grassland is also widespread, but is particularly a feature of the western ranges, often indicating areas of past cultivation.

On anthills, and in the more disturbed turf that is especially a feature of the impact area, mouse-ear hawkweed Hieracium pilosella is abundant together with sheepÕs- fescue Festuca ovina and wild thyme. Annuals are also characteristic of this habitat, including common whitlowgrass Erophila verna, rue-leaved saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites, hairy rock-cress Arabis hirsuta and the nationally scarce dwarf mouse-ear Cerastium pumilum and fine-leaved sandwort Minuartia hybrida. A very local community characterised by a lichen-rich turf (Cladonia species) and the moss Dicranum scoparium is found in some stabilised missile-impaction craters on the central ranges. This vegetation type is found elsewhere only on Porton Down SSSI and on the Brecklands.

Small areas of chalk-heath vegetation occur on superficial clay-with-flints deposits. Here chalk-loving plants such as salad burnet and dropwort co-exist with plants typical of acid soils, including gorse Ulex europaeus, heather Calluna vulgaris and the uncommon annual knawel Scleranthus annuus.

Two Red Data Book (RDB) plants occur on Salisbury Plain. The largest population in Britain of tuberous thistle Cirsium tuberosum occurs on the western ranges and is notable for the low incidence of hybridisation with dwarf thistle, a contributory cause of its decline in other localities. Meadow clary Salvia pratensis persists as a small colony in tall upright brome grassland.

Salisbury Plain supports a diverse bryophyte flora with seven nationally scarce species which have seen a general decline in other chalk grassland sites, including Barbula acuta, Phascum curvicolle, Pleurochaete squarrosa, Thuidium abietinum and Weissia sterilis.

Although there is some scrub development on the Plain, it is remarkable that large expanses of the chalk grassland remain open with very little invasion of woody species. Of particular interest are the large stands of juniper Juniperus communis on Bulford Downs and Beacon Hill. Both pyramidal and prostrate forms are present and this site, along with Porton Down SSSI to the south, supports the best remaining examples of the lowland type of juniper associated with chalk and mixed scrub in England.

The botanically and structurally diverse grasslands support an outstanding assemblage of rare and uncommon chalk downland invertebrates. Where abundance has been assessed strong populations of national and local importance are present, and the large area of habitat available to them is important in ensuring their survival.

Salisbury Plain is an important stronghold for declining downland butterflies. A high concentration of colonies of three nationally scarce species, the Adonis Blue (17% of BritainÕs colonies), Duke of Burgundy (??%) and the largest population of Marsh Fritillary on the chalk, occur. A colony of Brown Hairstreak is present on East Salisbury Plain at one of its two Wiltshire localities. Strong populations of other downland species such as Chalkhill Blue and Dark Green Fritillary are found, and of note here is the occurrence of Grayling, a butterfly rarely found away from the coast.

An outstanding assemblage of two rare (RDB), 36 nationally scarce and two regionally notable moths are present, most of which are either chalk grassland specialists or are partly dependent on chalk grassland. The RDB species Scarce Forester Adscita globulariae is present, and amongst many species of nationally scarce moths are Cistus Forester A. geryon, Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia scopigera, Oblique Striped Phibalapteryx virgata, Pimpernel Pug Eupithecia pimpinellata, Shaded Pug E. subumbrata and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth Hemaris tityus. Larvae of these moths feed on the chalk grassland plants which are widespread on Salisbury Plain. Other nationally scarce moths such as Orange-tailed Clearwing Synanthedon anthraciniformis depend on the associated scrub habitats.

The bee fauna is particularly rich in species which depend on chalk grassland. One of only two British populations of the endangered (RDB) mining bee Melitta dimidiata is present on the Plain, and two other RDB species which occur are Andrena hattorfiana and its nest parasite the Cuckoo Bee Nomada armata. This is a rare inland site for the nationally scarce Tawny Bumble Bee Bombus humilis.

The Diptera (flies) include four RDB species which depend on chalk grassland, the picture-wing flies Chaetorellia loricata, Urophora solstitialis and Terellia vectensis and the hover fly Volucella inflata.

Recent observations have shown that Salisbury Plain is an important site for the RDB crustacean, the Fairy Shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus which is dependent on temporary pools, a rare and declining habitat. On the Plain this habitat requirement is met by numerous pools created by repeated tank movements along the earth tracks which cross the chalk grassland.

Other nationally scarce invertebrates occur within the Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets), Heteroptera (bugs) and Coleoptera (beetles), the latter group including a RDB soldier beetle, Cantharis fusca.

The area as a whole is of national and international importance for breeding and wintering birds. It supports seven species listed on Annex 1 of the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, populations of six species of Red Data bird and several species of candidate Red Data bird. Amongst the breeding birds three species are particularly noteworthy. Up to 20 pairs of Stone Curlew representing 12% of the British population breed on the Plain. The area accounts for approximately 20% of breeding records for Quail in Britain each year, and numbers of breeding Hobby are thought to exceed 1% of the British population on a regular basis. Other important breeding species include Buzzard, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Nightingale, Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Corn Bunting and, on occasion, MontaguÕs Harrier. The overall breeding assemblage is exceptionally diverse for a British dry grassland site.

In winter the Plain is an important area for foraging flocks of thrushes, finches and buntings. These, together with abundant small mammals are prey for wintering Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl. Hen Harriers occur in nationally significant numbers each winter, and the Plain is an important winter roost for this species in southern England.

Other species of interest on Salisbury Plain include the Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus. This newt occurs in dew ponds across the Plain and in pools along the Nine Mile River, together with smooth newt T. vulgaris, common frog Rana temporia and common toad Bufo bufo. Grass snake Natrix natrix are also often seen near pools, and common lizard Lacerta vivipara, slow worm Anguis fragilis and adder Vipera berus are present. UK SAC data form

NATURA 2000 STANDARD DATA FORM FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS (SPA) FOR SITES ELIGIBLE FOR IDENTIFICATION AS SITES OF COMMUNITY IMPORTANCE (SCI) AND FOR SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SAC)

1. Site identification:

1.1 Type K 1.2 Site code UK0012683

1.3 Compilation date 199601 1.4 Update 201102

1.5 Relationship with other Natura 2000 sites U K 9 0 1 1 1 0 1 U K 9 0 1 1 1 0 2

1.6 Respondent(s) International Designations, JNCC, Peterborough

1.7 Site name Salisbury Plain

1.8 Site indication and designation classification dates date site proposed as eligible as SCI 199601 date confirmed as SCI 200412 date site classified as SPA date site designated as SAC 200504

2. Site location: 2.1 Site centre location longitude latitude 01 53 22 W 51 14 45 N

2.2 Site area (ha) 21438.1 2.3 Site length (km)

2.5 Administrative region NUTS code Region name % cover

UK561 Hampshire 2.38% UK613 Wiltshire 97.62%

2.6 Biogeographic region X Alpine Atlantic Boreal Continental Macaronesia Mediterranean

Salisbury Plain Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 1 UK SAC data form 3. Ecological information:

3.1 Annex I habitats Habitat types present on the site and the site assessment for them:

Annex I habitat % cover Representati Relative Conservation Global vity surface status assessment

European dry heaths 0 D Juniperus communis formations on heaths or 1.92 A A A A calcareous grasslands Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on 94.7 B A A A calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia)

3.2 Annex II species Population Site assessment Resident Migratory Species name Breed Winter Stage Population Conservation Isolation Global Euphydryas (Eurodryas, Present - - - B B C B Hypodryas) aurinia Triturus cristatus Present - - - D Gentianella anglica Present - - - D

4. Site description

4.1 General site character Habitat classes % cover Marine areas. Sea inlets Tidal rivers. Estuaries. Mud flats. Sand flats. Lagoons (including saltwork basins) Salt marshes. Salt pastures. Salt steppes Coastal sand dunes. Sand beaches. Machair Shingle. Sea cliffs. Islets Inland water bodies (standing water, running water) Bogs. Marshes. Water fringed vegetation. Fens Heath. Scrub. Maquis and garrigue. Phygrana 1.9 Dry grassland. Steppes 94.7 Humid grassland. Mesophile grassland 0.9 Alpine and sub-alpine grassland Improved grassland 0.9 Other arable land Broad-leaved deciduous woodland 0.4 Coniferous woodland 0.4 Evergreen woodland Mixed woodland 0.4 Non-forest areas cultivated with woody plants (including orchards, groves, vineyards, dehesas) Inland rocks. Screes. Sands. Permanent snow and ice Other land (including towns, villages, roads, waste places, mines, industrial sites) 0.4 Total habitat cover 100%

Salisbury Plain Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 2 UK SAC data form

4.1 Other site characteristics

Soil & geology: Basic, Limestone, Neutral, Nutrient-poor, Sedimentary Geomorphology & landscape: Escarpment, Lowland, Slope, Valley

4.2 Quality and importance Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. • 5% of which is considered to be the priority sub-type: “important orchid sites”. Euphydryas (Eurodryas, Hypodryas) aurinia • for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom.

4.3 Vulnerability This site comprises three landholdings: a military training area, a military research area and an National Nature Reserve. The interests of all three sites require low intensity grazing which on the military areas has occurred as a by-product of military use over many years and on the NNR has been maintained through traditional farm management. Lack of management is a problem in some places on the training area, and the decline in the UK livestock industry has implications for all three areas, such that future grazing management may require increased financial support. Changes in military use, particularly use of increased numbers of vehicles and construction of roads and tracks to accommodate those vehicles have the potential to damage the qualifying interests, but are subject to prior assessment and are being strategically addressed through an integrated land management plan. The land that is subject to purely agricultural use is managed sympathetically through a National Nature Reserve management plan.

5. Site protection status and relation with CORINE biotopes:

5.1 Designation types at national and regional level Code % cover UK01 (NNR) 0.9 UK04 (SSSI/ASSI) 100.0

Salisbury Plain Natura 2000 Data Form Produced by JNCC., 27/07/11 Page 3 JNCC is a statutory adviser to UK Government and devolved administrations

Home > UK > Protected Sites > Special Protection Areas > SPA Review > SPA Review site accounts SPA description (information as published 2001)

Salisbury Plain Country England Unitary Authority Wiltshire, Hampshire SPA status Classified 03/11/1993 Latitude 51 15 14 N Longitude 01 53 11 W SPA EU code UK9011102 Area (ha) 19688.88 Component SSSI/ASSIs Salisbury Plain

The largest remaining area of chalk grassland in north-west Europe, Salisbury Plain is located in central southern England as a plateau of Upper and Middle Chalk to the north of Salisbury. Much of the area is used for military training, which has prevented the conversion of the ancient grassland to arable farming that has been so prevalent elsewhere in England. Rare plants include Tuberous Thistle Cirsium tuberosum and Meadow Clary Salvia pratensis. As well as the suite of grasses and herbs characteristic of open chalk grassland, Salisbury Plain supports important scrub communities with a wide variety of native shrubs, though these are small in extent compared with open grasslands. There are some important stands of Juniper Juniperus communis, while Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica, Yew Taxus baccata and Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana are some of the shrubs present. There are also important assemblages of invertebrates (especially butterflies and moths, flies and bees) associated with both the ancient grassland and the successional scrub communities. Breeding Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus and other birds are dependent upon the extensive areas of short grassland, and wintering birds forage over the grasslands and scrub. Raptors overwinter, feeding on small birds and mammals.

Qualifying species For individual species accounts visit the Species Accounts section

This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive:

During the breeding season;

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, 22 pairs representing at least 11.6% of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count as at 1998)

Over winter;

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, 14 individuals representing at least 1.9% of the wintering population in Great Britain (RSPB 1996/7)

Note: Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.

JNCC SUPPORT CO. Registered in England and Wales. Company no. 05380206. Registered office as above