Whin Common Parish: Denver Grid Reference: TF 617 012 Area: 10.5Ha District: King’S Lynn and West Norfolk Survey Date: 18/09/18

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

County Wildlife Site Survey Form (Ref. No.334)

Site Name: Whin Common Parish: Denver Grid reference: TF 617 012 Area: 10.5ha District: King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Survey date: 18/09/18

Registered Commons Number: CL 243

Site overview:

Whin Common is a registered common (CL243) and a County Wildlife Site (CWS 334) consisting of a mosaic of habitats, including dry acid grassland, scrub, old hedgerow, mature trees, and some damper patches of acid / marshy grassland. The busy A10 road lies immediately to the east.

Faden’s map of Norfolk, c.1797, shows the common as following a similar footprint to the present day. The 19th century OS maps show the common as being pasture in the north, with gorse and heather in the south, and a small pond in the south-west by the boundary, and a widened ditch/pond in the north linked to an historic moated site beyond the common’s boundaries.

An area described as ‘post medieval water meadows’ (NHER 42816) is recorded to the west of the common by Norfolk Heritage Explorer: “Flooded meadows where small dykes enabled the land to be flooded in late autumn so that the water would freeze allowing early grass to come with the spring thaw. First mentioned in 1777 but may be a century older, judging by estimated age of hedges and a plaque of 1725 on a nearby house. Became an orchard around 1900; now a nature reserve.” These old meadows now lie under the trees of Bates Wood Nature Reserve, just beyond the west boundary, but presumably the wet ditch that crosses the common under the road reflects a past link.

The 1910 Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society report on Norfolk’s Commons by W.G. Clarke simply records Whin Common as ‘Pasture and furze’.

Today the common is quiet, despite the nearby road, being well-used by locals for walking and recreation.

Sheep grazing on the common by David Kennedy

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Annotated habitat map:

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Habitat map

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Habitat description

A large common with a mix of habitats, with open areas of dry acid grassland, bordered in many places by gorse (Ulex europaeus) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) scrub with scattered trees.

The acid grassland across the common supports occasional heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile), Lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum), cat’s ear (Hypochaeris radicata), creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), common birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), knapweed (Centaurea nigra), lesser stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), silverweed (Potentilla anserine), sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella), germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

The north grassland area is well-grazed by sheep and ponies, down to a tight sward. Several large anthills were recorded here in 2018-19. There are some recently planted oaks in the open north grassland.

The southern grassland appeared to have been unmanaged for a few years and is becoming coarser in places.

The boundaries of the common support gorse and bramble scrub, with an old hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) hedgerow and some mature oaks in the east along the A10. There are occasional areas of birch (Betula pendula), and some willow (Salix sp.). Some ornamental tree species occur by houses along the western boundary.

Stands of birch occur around the boundaries, particularly in the southern part of the common. A boundary belt of dry oak (Quercus robur)-dominated woodland with hazel (Corylus avellana), gorse and bramble in the northeast of the common. This area supports little shrub layer or ground flora, and is well used for shelter by the sheep.

The northern end of the common is kept in part as amenity grassland by the houses, and there is a small area of planted trees and coppiced hazel nearby.

A small area of alder (Alnus glutinosa)-dominated woodland lies at the north of the common, with running wet ditches acting as a border and forming a triangular area of fenced woodland. Under the trees is coarse growth of nettle (Urtica dioica) and bramble with various garden escapees/plantings such as variegated archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. Argentatum), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria), snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) and pendulous sedge (Carex pendula). This area can only be reached by crossing the small flowing stream/ditch, and therefore is almost inaccessible.

To the south of this small triangular woodland is a wooded area with wet ditches which supports increasing Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), nettle and a patch of common reed (Phragmites australis).

The far south of the common has an area of acid grassland, amongst gorse and bramble scrub, is a patch of harebells (Campanula rotundfolia). The number of harebells has decreased over the past few years.

A few damper grassy areas occur on the common, supporting marshy grassland species. A small area towards the southern boundary (near the harebells) is damp and becoming scrubby, supporting marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), soft rush (Juncus effuses), lesser stitchwort, and increasing bramble.

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

A wet ditch crosses under the road (about halfway down the common) and supports marshy grassland species such as greater birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), ivy-leaved crowfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus), marsh woundwort (Stachys palustris), meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), water figwort (Scrophularia auriculata), water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper) and flag iris (Iris pseudacorus).

Other notable species: Include non-plant species eg turtle dove/barn owl/dingy skipper

White letter hairstreak (Satyrium w-album) Purple hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

For other fauna recorded during the survey please see the end of this document.

Adjacent habitats/potential buffer zones & linkage to other sites: Is the site next to another CWS/SSSI? Is there similar habitat adjacent or is the site surrounded by agricultural land?

The main A10 London road is immediately to the east of the common. Agricultural land lies to the west and south. To the north is the village of Denver. To the west of the common, within the boundary of Denver can be found Sluice Common, this too is a County Wildlife Site, that is linked to Whin through a network of wide grass verges, which are also registered common land.

Is the site in positive conservation management? Yes/no/partly/non-intervention. (Please give details if necessary).

The north common is grazed by sheep and ponies. The southern area of the common is not currently grazed.

Brief management proposals:

Increased frequency of cutting and/or grazing the southern part of the grassland could help reduce coarser species, and encourage finer species such as harebell.

Bramble reduction to prevent it encroaching further into the grassland.

Through the Wildlife in Common project a document listing some management suggestions was produced in 2020.

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

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

PLANT LIST County Wildlife Site name & reference number: Whin Common, 334 Date of survey: 26/06/18, 4/08/18, 7/08/18, 18/09/18, 4/06/19, 6/08/19 & 3/09/19 Surveyor: Sue Matchett, David Kennedy, Richard Warden, Bill Seager

Please note: Norfolk Flora Group visited the site on 11/06/19

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley Arctium minus Burdock - lesser Armoracia rusticana Horseradish On verges Artemesia vulgaris Mugwort Arum maculatum Lords and Ladies Ballota nigra Black horehound Bellis perennis Daisy Bryonia dioica Bryony - white Calystegia sepium Bindweed - hedge Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Good sized patch in 2018, but depleted in 2019 Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s purse Centaurea nigra Knapweed - Common Ceratocapnos claviculata Climbing corydalis Esp wooded area by A10 Chamerion angustifolia Rosebay willowherb Chaerophyllum temulum Rough chervil Cirsium arvense Thistle - creeping Cirsium palustre Thistle - marsh Cirsium vulgare Thistle - spear Conium maculatum Hemlock Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed - field Conyza canadensis Canadian fleabane Crepis capillaris Hawksbeard (smooth) Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved toadflax Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Epilobium hirsutum Willowherb - greater Equisetum arvense Horsetail Erophila verna Common whitlow grass Euphorbia peplus Petty spurge Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. Archangel, variegated argentatum Lamium album Dead nettle - white Lamium purpureum Dead nettle - red Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Lotus corniculatus Bird’s foot trefoil Ficaria verna Lesser celandine Galanthus sp. Snowdrop Galeopsis tetrahit Common hemp nettle Galium album Bedstraw - hedge Galium aparine Cleavers Galium saxatile Bedstraw - heath Galium verum Bedstraw – Lady’s Geranium dissectum Cranesbill – Cut leaved

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Geranium molle Cranesbill – Dovesfoot Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geum urbanum Wood avens Glechoma hederacea Ground ivy Gnaphalium uliginosum Marsh cudweed Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hieracium umbellatum Hawkweed Humulus lupulus Hop One plant only noted Hypochaeris radicata Cat’s ear Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan balsam Invasive non-native species Iris pseudacorus Yellow flag iris Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Lorenicera periclymemum Honeysuckle Widespread Lotus pedunclatus Greater bird’s foot trefoil Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort Wet area of ditch Malva neglecta Dwarf mallow Malva sylvestris Common mallow Matricaria discoidea Pineapple weed Myosotis arvensis Field forget-me-not Nasturtium officinale Watercress Pentaglottis sempervirens Green alkanet Persicaria hydropiper Water pepper Persicaria maculosa Redshank On verge in ditch Plantago lanceolata Plantain - ribwort Plantago major Plantain - greater Potentilla erecta Tormentil Potentilla reptans Cinquefoil - creeping Polygonum aviculare agg Knotgrass Potentilla anserina Silverweed Primula vulgaris Primrose Tiny patch in wood – possibly planted Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Ranunculus acris Buttercup - meadow Ranunculus hederaceus Ivy-leaved crowfoot Wet area Ranunculus repens Buttercup - creeping Rosa canina Dog rose Rubus fructicosus agg Bramble Rumex acetosa Sorrel – common Frequent Rumex acetosella Sorrel – sheep’s Frequent Rumex conglomeratous Dock - clustered Rumex obtusifolius Dock – broad-leaved Scrophularia auriculata Water figwort In ditch by bridge Senecio sp Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Silene flos-cuculi Ragged robin Sonchus oleraceus Smooth sowthistle Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort Stellaria graminea Lesser stitchwort Widespread Stellaria media Common chickweed Symphytum officinale Common comfrey

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Teucrium scorodonia Woodsage Torilis japonica Upright hedge parsley Tragopogon pratensis Goat’s beard Trifolium medium Clover - zigzag Trifolium pratense Clover - red Trifolium repens Clover - white Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless mayweed Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort Stone gate pillars Urtica dioica Common stinging nettle Veronica chamaedrys Speedwell - germander Vicia sativa Common vetch Vicia sepium Bush vetch Viscum album Mistletoe Trees on A47 edge

Tree and Shrub Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Acer sp Maple Acer campestre Field maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut Alnus glutinosa Alder Betula pendula Silver birch Coryllus avellana Hazel Mostly coppiced Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Fagus sylvatica Beech Fraxinus excelsior Ash Ilex aquifolium Holly Ligustrium ovalifolium Privet Populus sp Poplar Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Prunus sp. Cherry Cultivated Quercus rober Pedunculate oak Rosa canina Dog rose Salix sp Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Taxus baccata Yew Ulex europaeus Gorse Ulmus sp. Elm

Grass, Sedge and Rush Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtail Anisantha sterilis Barren brome Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet vernal grass Bamboo Garden escape Carex hirta Hairy sedge Carex pendula Pendulous sedge In wood by stream Dactylis glomerate Cock’s foot

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair grass Elytrigia repens Common couch grass Holcus lanatus Yorkshire fog Juncus effusus Soft rush Juncus inflexus Hard rush Lolium perenne Perennial rye grass Phleum pratense Timothy Phragmites australis Common reed Poa annua Annual meadow grass Poa pratensis Smooth meadow grass Typha latifolia Reed mace

Fern Record

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Dryopteris filix-mas Common male fern

Fungi Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Fomes fomentarius Hoof fungus Dead wood A10 area Fomitopsis betulina Birch polypore On trees by A10 Macrolepiota procera Parasol mushroom Phragmidium violaceum Violet bramble rust On blackberry leaves Rhytisma acerinum Sycamore tar spot On leaves Trametes versicolor Turkeytail On dead wood by A10 Tremella mesenterica Yellow brain fungus On gorse Xylaria hypoxylon Candlesnuff In damp area

Norfolk Flora Group Plant Records Site Visit Date: 6/11/19

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Acer campestre Field maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut Agrostis capillaris Common bent Agrostis stolonifera Creeping bentgrass Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard Alnus glutinosa Alder Alopecurus pratensis Field meadow foxtail Anisantha sterilis Barren brome Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet vernal grass Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley Apium nodiflorum Fool’s watercress Arctium minus Lesser burdock Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Arrhenatherum elatius False oat grass Artemisia vulgaris Common mugwort

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Bellis perennis Daisy Betula pendula Silver birch Betula pubescens Downy birch Brachypodium sylvaticum Slender false brome Bromus hordeaceus subsp. Soft brome hordeaceus Bryonia dioica White bryony Buxus sempervirens Common box Calystegia sepium Hedge bindweed Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s purse Carex divulsa subsp. leersii Brown sedge Carex hirta Hairy sedge Carex leporina Oval sedge Carex muricata subsp. pairae Slender tufted-sedge Carex pendula Pendulous sedge Cerastium fontanum Mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium glomeratum Sticky mouse-ear chickweed Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay willowherb Cirsium arvense Creeping thistle Cirsium palustre Marsh thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Conium maculatum Hemlock Conopodium majus Pignut Convolvulus arvensis Lesser bindweed Conyza canadensis Canada fleabane Corylus avellana Common hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crepis capillaris Smooth hawksbeard Crepis vesicaria Beaked hawksbeard Cytisus scoparius Common broom Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot Daphne laureola Spurge-laurel Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hairgrass Dryopteris dilatata Broad buckler-fern Dryopteris filix-mas Male fern Elytrigia repens Common couch grass Epilobium hirsutum Great hairy willowherb Equisetum arvense Field horsetail Festuca rubra Red fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ashy Galeopsis tetrahit agg. Common hemp nettle Galium aparine Cleavers Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Geum urbanum Wood avens Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved cranesbill Geranium endressii x versicolor = Oxford cranesbill G. x oxonianum Geranium molle Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Glechoma hederacea Ground ivy

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Gnaphalium uliginosum Marsh cudweed Hedera helix s.s. Common ivy Helminthotheca echioides Bristly oxtongue Heracleum sphondylium Common hogweed Holcus lanatus Yorkshire fog Holcus mollis Creeping soft grass Hordeum murinum Wall barley Humulus lupulus Common hop Ilex aquifolium Holly Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan balsam Invasive non-native species Iris foetidissima Stinking iris Iris pseudacorus Yellow flag iris Juncus bufonius s.s. Toad rush Juncus effusus Soft rush Juncus inflexus Hard rush Lamium album White dead nettle Lamium purpureum Red dead nettle Lapsana communis Common nipplewort Larix decidua x kaempferi = L. x Larch marschlinsii Lepidium coronopus Lesser swine-cress Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy Lolium perenne Perennial ryegrass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lotus corniculatus Common bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Great bird’s foot trefoil Lunaria annua Honesty Luzula campestris Field wood-rush Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort Malus pumila Apple Malva sylvestris Common mallow Matricaria discoidea Pineapple weed Medicago lupulina Black medick Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved sandwort Myosotis arvensis Field forget-me-not Myosotis laxa Forget-me-not Narcissus Daffodil Nasturtium officinale agg. Watercress Papaver rhoeas Common poppy Pentaglottis sempervirens Green alkanet Persicaria hydropiper Water pepper Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain Plantago major Broad leaved plantain Phalaris arundinacea Reed canary grass Phleum pratense s.l. Timothy grass Phragmites australis Common reed Picea abies Norway spruce Poa annua Annual meadow grass Poa humilis Spreading meadow grass Poa pratensis s.l. Kentucky bluegrass Poa trivialis Rough-stalked meadow grass

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Polygonum aviculare s.s. Common knotgrass Populus deltoides x nigra = P. x Hybrid black poplar canadensis Potentilla anserina Silverweed Potentilla erecta Tormentil Potentilla reptans Creeping cinquefoil Prunella vulgaris Common self-heal Prunus avium Wild cherry Prunus domestica European plum Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Quercus cerris Turkey oak Quercus robur English oak Ranunculus acris Meadow buttercup Ranunculus hederaceus Ivy-leaved crowfoot Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup Rosa canina agg. Dog rose Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rubus ulmifolius Elm-leaved bramble Rumex acetosa Common sorrel Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel Rumex crispus Curly dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad leaved dock Rumex sanguineus Red veined sorrel Sagina procumbens Procumbent pearlwort Salix alba x babylonica = S. x Weeping golden willow sepulcralis Salix caprea Goat willow Salix cinerea Grey sallow Sambucus nigra Elder Schedonorus arundinaceus Tall fescue Scrophularia auriculata Water figwort Senecio jacobaea Common ragwort Senecio sylvaticus Heath groundsel Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Solanum nigrum European black nightshade Soleirolia soleirolii Mind your own business Sonchus asper Prickly sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus Common sowthistle Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort Stellaria alsine Bog stitchwort Stellaria graminea Lesser stitchwort Stellaria media s.s. Common chickweed Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Taxus baccata Common yew Tilia cordata x platyphyllos = T. x Common lime europaea Thuja plicata Western red cedar Tragopogon pratensis subsp. Goat’s beard minor Trifolium dubium Lesser trefoil Trifolium pratense Red clover

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Trifolium repens White clover Tsuga heterophylla Western hemlock Typha latifolia Reedmace Ulex europaeus Common gorse Ulmus minor English elm Urtica dioica Stinging nettle Veronica arvensis Wall speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Germander speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved speedwell Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis Common vetch Viscum album Mistletoe

Fauna Record

Butterfly Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Aglais urticae Small tortoiseshell Anthocharis cardamines Orange tip Aphantopus hyperantus Ringlet Callophrys rubi Green hairstreak Celastrina argiolus Holly blue Cupido minimus Small copper Gonepteryx rhamni Brimstone Inachis io Peacock Maniola jurtina Meadow brown Neozephyrus quercus Purple hairstreak Ochlodes sylvanus Large skipper Pararge aegeria Speckled wood Pieris brassicae Large white Pieris napi Green-veined white Pieris rapae Small white Polygonia c-album Comma Pyronia Tithonus Gatekeeper Satyrium w-album White letter hairstreak Thymelicus lineola Essex skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Small skipper Vanessa Atalanta Red admiral Vanessa cardui Painted lady

Amphibian and Reptile Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Zootoca vivipara Common lizard

Bird Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Buzzard Buteo buteo On thermals over A10 Wood pigeon Calumba palumbus Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus Great tit Parus major

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location House sparrow Passer domesticus Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Starling Sturnus vulgaris Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Blackbird Turdus merula Song thrush Turdus philomelos

Mammal Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Erinaceus europaeus Hedgehog Droppings on grass Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit Talpa europaea Mole Numerous mole hills

Other Invertebrate Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale Hawthorn shieldbug Aeshna grandis Brown hawker Apis melifera Honeybee Bombus lapidarius Red-tailed bumblebee Bombus pascuorum Common carder bee Bombus terrestris Buff-tailed bumblebee Coccinella quinquepunctata 5-spot ladybird Coccinellidae septempunctata 7-spot ladybird Coreus marginatus Dock shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum Hairy shieldbug Harmonia axyridis Harlequin ladybird Lasius flavus Yellow meadow Numerous ant mounds Myrmeleotettix maculatus Mottled Omocestus viridulus Common green Pentatoma rufipes Red-legged shield bug Pisaura mirabilis Nursery web spider Pyrochroa serraticornis Cardinal beetle Sarcophaga carnaria Flesh fly Staphylinus olens Devil’s coach horse Sympetrum sanguinium Ruddy darter Vespa crabro Hornet

Galls Records

Scientific name Common name Comments/Location Adricus kallari Marble oak gall Andricus quercus calicis Knoffler gall Diplolepis rosae Robin’s pin cushion Rondaniola bursaria Lighthouse gall On germander speedwell Urophora cardui Creeping thistle gall

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Site Images by David Kennedy

Whin Common (north) from Whin Common (south) track Whin Common Road looking south

English Oaks, Whin Common Whin Common (south) (south)

Whin Common (south) looking Whin Common (south) track east looking north

WILDLIFE IN COMMON

Whin Common (south) looking Whin Common (north) looking

west north

Whin Common (north) looking Planted English Oaks, Whin south Common (north) looking south

Whin Common (north) looking Grazing sheep, Whin south from north boundary Common (north) path