A sum of £300 was allocated under a Woodland Assessment Grant for the veteran tree survey of Stoke Park Woods. Given the number and range of mature trees within the woods, this survey has necessarily focused on identifying and describing veteran trees and those which show the greatest range of veteran characteristics. It is not a definitive list of candidate veteran and/ or specimen trees within the woodlands and does not directly consider the need for arboricultural and/or Health & Safety work. Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: Barn Wood Compartment/ Sub Compt: 1b Grid Ref ST 620 772 VT Ref (for Stoke Park) VT 35 Species Field maple Girth at dbh (cm) 290 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Old field maple with a largely intact crown which has distorted to grown in a south- easterly direction by competing trees. A fine example of a veteran field maple, with a large trunk but relatively low height. Ivy covers one branch and has the potential to bring this down in strong winds. Adjacent to a public access. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Sever ivy stems at the base; coppice adjacent hazel and cut down two beech saplings within the drip- line of the tree. Cut adjacent sycamore which is encroaching in to/ above the canopy of the tree. Ensure fringe of beech and other trees are retained on the woodland edge, along with regenerating field maple.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: Barn Wood Compartment/ Sub Compt: 1b Grid Ref ST 620 772 VT Ref (for Stoke Park) VT 36 Species Field maple Girth at dbh (cm) Multi- stemmed totalling 150 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Old multi- stemmed field maple with four stems, interwoven with a fallen ash bough. Small crown, distorted in a south- easterly direction by competing trees. A good example of a veteran field maple. Adjacent to two public access routes. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Carefully cut and remove fallen ash bough from the tree stems; cut down two elms encroaching in to the canopy; cut down an ash tree which is encroaching on to the canopy of this tree and an adjacent old hawthorn.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: Barn Wood Compartment/ Sub Compt: 1b Grid Ref ST 620 772 VT Ref (for Stoke Park) VT 37 Species Hawthorn Girth at dbh (cm) 3 stems totalling 150 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Old hawthorn forming part of a remnant hedgerow between VT35 and VT 36. Small and distorted crown. Lies close to VT 37 and VT 38, both old hawthorns. All lie adjacent to a public path. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Setting largely open and will be enhanced by the removal of the sycamore ref VT35.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: Barn Wood Compartment/ Sub Compt: 1b Grid Ref ST 619 772 VT Ref (for Stoke Park) VT 41 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 240 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations English oak with a huge lateral spread due to overtopping by fine ash trees. Intervention at the canopy level not justified, but small- scale selective thinning of saplings could help conserve this form. Candidate veteran. Not directly on a path but publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Undertake small- scale selective thinning of sycamore, hazel and hawthorn in lower canopy to conserve the spreading nature fo the tree.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: Other Notable Trees in Barn Wood Compartment/ Sub Compt: 1a, 1b Grid Ref VT Ref (for Stoke Park) Species Girth at dbh (cm) VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary A significant number of other notable landscape and/ or unusual trees occur within Barn Wood. From a candidate veteran perspective, the grove of horse chestnut (notionally identified as VT 30, VT 31, VT 32, VT 33, VT 34 and VT 35) are of considerable interest. VT 32 is a dead stump, VT33 is substantially dead and VT 34 has just died. It is important to balance the needs of Health & Safety and the potential for these to develop candidate status. There are also some fine (living) examples of field maple, black poplar and wild service tree amongst other species.

Image(s) Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 774 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT7 Species Common elm Girth at dbh (cm) 50 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Elm tree virtually dead, close to an informal public access. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene as appropriate to make safe whilst allowing the tree to decay naturally, developing further veteran characteristics. Undertake regular assessments thereafter.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 774 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT8 Species Beech Girth at dbh (cm) 180 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies √ Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Dead beech tree adjacent to public access route, but publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene as appropriate to make safe whilst allowing the tree to decay naturally, developing further veteran characteristics. Undertake regular assessments thereafter.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 617 773 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT9 Species Horse chestnut Girth at dbh (cm) 500 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations None of the above, although limited crown dieback. A very fine specimen tree which could become a candidate of the future. Immediately adjacent to public access route. MANAGEMENT: Retain woodland setting, but undertake limited thinning of trees touching canopy.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 773 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT10 Species Ash Girth at dbh (cm) 180 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Management Recommendations A significant ash tree forming part of the canopy of Hermitage Wood. Encroachment by adjacent trees and shrubs. MANAGEMENT: Undertake selective thinning and pruning.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 617 774 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT20 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 300 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Medium sized oak tree with substantial ivy growth and having shed limbs, probably due to the combination of the ivy's weight and strong winds. Lateral branch in part supported by a spur. Candidate veteran. Not on a path but accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Sever principal ivy stems at the base of the tree; undertake selective thinning/ pruning of competitive beech and hazel within drip line and make supported limb safe.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 777 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT21 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 300 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Moderate sized veteran yew in dense yew wood close to public access route and publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene to undertake remedial work only as absolutely necessary. Undertake regular assessments thereafter. OPENING OUT SETTING: Thin/ cut branches of cherry laurel and ash saplings the branches of which are directly encroaching in to/ directly above the crown on it south side to within 3m from the ‘drip-line’. Maintain the aspect of the tree as being within a woodland setting.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 777 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT22 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 300 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Moderate sized veteran yew in dense yew wood close to public access route and publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene to undertake remedial work only as absolutely necessary. Undertake regular assessments thereafter. OPENING OUT SETTING: Thin/ cut branches of cherry laurel, horse chestnut sapling and hazel the branches of which are directly encroaching in to/ directly above the crown on the south and west side to within 3m from the ‘drip-line’. Maintain the aspect of the tree as being within a woodland setting.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT23 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 300? VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies √ Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Moderate sized veteran yew (tagged 0279) in dense yew wood close to public access route and publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene to undertake remedial work only as absolutely necessary. Undertake regular assessments thereafter. OPENING OUT SETTING: Cut hazel and ash branches which are directly encroaching in to/ directly above the trees crown to 3m of the 'drip line'. Very carefully fell these to avoid damage to crown/ more widely and if this cannot be avoided do not intervene. Maintain the aspect of the tree as being within a woodland setting.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 618 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT24 Species Holm oak Girth at dbh (cm) Tbc VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies √ Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Huge, spreading, veteran holm oak within a thinned clearing in the woodlands. Metal tagged as 588. (Has spreading characteristics of a Turkey/ Lucombe oak). Publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: This tree has recently lost a large limb. A Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment is needed. Intervene to undertake remedial work as appropriate. Arboricultural rather than VT setting work.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: HERMITAGE WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 2 Grid ref ST 617 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT25 Species Beech Girth at dbh (cm) Tbc VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Large beech tree which has largely lost its canopy. Within publicly accessible woodland. MANAGEMENT: Undertake Health & Safety and arboricultural assessment and intervene as appropriate. Undertake regular assessments thereafter. OPENING OUT SETTING: Thin ash and elm saplings in the immediate vicinity (not a top priority).

Image(s) Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: LONG WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 3 Grid ref ST 617 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT 42 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 370 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Large oak which has recently suffered major limb loss. No rotting as yet but well on the way to being a full veteran. In an open setting and fallen limbs can be accessed by the public. MANAGEMENT: Needs a Health & Safety and arboricultural inspection and needs to be made safe as a priority. Arboricultural rather than VT work.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: LONG WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 3 Grid ref ST 616 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT 43 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 380 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations Large yew tree adjacent to public access route. Veteran. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Cut elm and ash saplings which encroach into canopy of the tree; retain dead birch stump uncut.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: LONG WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 3 Grid ref ST 617 776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT 44 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 280 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Medium/ large yew tree with significant encroachment on to canopy, adjacent to public access route. Candidate Veteran. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate. OPENING OUT SETTING: Cut saplings encroaching on and overtopping canopy whilst retaining the trees woodland setting.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: LONG WOOD Compartment/ Sub Compt: 3 Grid ref ST 616776 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT 45 Species Yew Girth at dbh (cm) 310 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree √ Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations 10% branches dead, but otherwise healthy. Candidate veteran. Close to public access route and publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate.

Image(s) Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: N/A Compartment/ Sub Compt: N/A Grid ref ST 616 766 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT1 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 450 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Tbc Holes & water pockets >5cm √ Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes √ Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Tbc Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue √ Summary & Management Recommendations 75% of crown is dead and some lower limbs; large, spreading and low growing veteran tree, located in the middle of a hay field, protected by a fringe of unmanaged nettles. Located away from paths but publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene only as absolutely necessary.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: N/A Compartment/ Sub Compt: N/A Grid ref ST 614 765 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT2 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 350? VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Approximately 30 per cent is dead and dying, but overall quite vigorous; candidate veteran tree. Located away from paths but publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: N/A Compartment/ Sub Compt: N/A Grid ref ST 617 769 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT3 Species Ash Girth at dbh (cm) Tbc VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Summary & Management Recommendations Limited crown dieback; significant ivy growth potentially resulting in limbs being shed in strong winds. Fine tree and candidate veteran. Located close to but away from access routes. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and intervene as appropriate; sever ivy stems at base.

Image(s)

Stoke Park Veteran/ Candidate Veteran Tree List Woodland Name: N/A Compartment/ Sub Compt: N/A Grid ref ST 615 769 VT ref (for Stoke Park) VT4 Species English oak Girth at dbh (cm) 370 VT Checklist (at least 4 of) Hollowing √ Fungal fruiting bodies Holes & water pockets >5cm Tbc Dead wood (fallen or attached min 15cm) √ Tears, scars of lightening strikes Tbc Rot sites (minimum 400cm2) or exposed wood on tree Tbc Live stubs of naturally fractured/ shattered tissue Tbc Summary & Management Recommendations Uppermost crown dead and about 33% of the lower limbs; significant hollowing; small, low- growing, spreading veteran tree. Located away from main access routes but publicly accessible. MANAGEMENT: Undertake regular Health & Safety and arboricultural inspections and undertake remedial work only as absolutely necessary.

Image(s) Woodland Recording Form: BCC SNCI sites

Stoke Park Surveyors: Justin Smith (Woodland and Wildlife Officer for Bristol City Council) and Becky Coffin (Nature Conservation Officer for BCC)

Grid ref: ST618773 Slope: 5-20’ Size: 1Ha Name: Barn Wood (Western (See NVC map, Area 6) South section) Date: 6th May 2013 Woodland Type: W8 (ancient) Canopy (Trees) Composition (% each): Oak (20%), Small Leaved Lime* (10%), Yew (<5%), Field Maple (10%), Hawthorn (10%), Sycamore (<5%), Cherry Laurel (<5%), Ash (30%), Horse Chestnut (<5%), Holly (<5%), English Elm (<5%), Hazel (20%), Wild Service* (local 30%), Beech (<5%), Crab Apple* (<5%) *Trees with ancient woodland affinities Under-storey (Shrubs) Composition (% each): Hazel, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Holly, Sycamore, Ash, Elms (each 10-30%) Ancient Woodland Indicators; Herbs, Grasses, Ferns, Sedges (avrge. % each): 20-50% cover: Bluebell, Ramsons, Wood Anemone, Dog’s Mercury 5-20% cover: Wood Dock, Wood Sedge, Pignut, Goldilocks Buttercup, Ruderal/Secondary colonisers (% each): Patchy 30-50%; Ivy, Lesser Celandine, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Bramble, Patchy 10%: Cow Parsley, Lords and Ladies, Common Nettle, Cleavers, Dog Rose, Moss Layer: Thamnobryum alopecurum (patchy dominance)

Lichen Indicators of Ecological Continuity: Strigula taylori (Nationally Scarce)

Birds: Green Woodpecker

Mammals: Invertebrates: Helophilus pendulus Fungi; Coprinellus domesticus, *Pluteus aurantiorugosus (Nationally Scarce), Rigidoporus ulmarius, Hysterium angustatum, Hypoxylon petriniae, Polyporus squamosus, Puccinia pulverulentus, Entyloma ficariae, Puccinia punctiformis, Kretschmaria deusta, Ganoderma australe, Uromyces ficariae, Inonotus hispidus,

Woodland Recording Form: BCC SNCI sites

Stoke Park Surveyors: Justin Smith (Woodland and Wildlife Officer for Bristol City Council) and Becky Coffin (Nature Conservation Officer for BCC)

Grid ref: ST618774 Slope: More Size: Name: Long Wood and to ST616776 (see NVC or less level 15Ha Hermitage Wood map, transect 7) ground Date: 6th May 2013 Woodland Type: W8 (50% with ancient woodland affinities) Canopy (Trees) Composition (% each): Oak (20%), Small Leaved Lime* (10%), Yew (<5%), Field Maple (10%), Hawthorn (10%), Sycamore (<5%), Cherry Laurel (<5%), Ash (40%), Horse Chestnut (<5%), Holly (<5%), Wych Elm (20%), Hazel (30%), Beech (10%), Crab Apple* (<5%) *Trees with ancient woodland affinities Under-storey (Shrubs) Composition (% each): Hazel, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Holly, Sycamore, Ash, Elms, Guelder Rose, Spindle (each 10-30%) Ancient Woodland Indicators; Herbs, Grasses, Ferns, Sedges (avrge. % each): 20-50% cover: Bluebell, Ramsons, Wood Anemone, Dog’s Mercury 5-20% cover: Wood Dock, Wood Sedge, Pignut, Golden Scaly Male Fern, Rides: 10-30%: Hairy St Johns Wort, Square Stemmed St Johns Wort, Wood Spurge, Pendulous Sedge. Ruderal/Secondary colonisers (% each): Patchy 30-50%; Ivy, Lesser Celandine, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Bramble, Patchy 10%: Dog Rose, Broad Buckler Fern, Wood Avens, Moss Layer: Thamnobryum alopecurum (patchy dominance)

Lichen Indicators of Ecological Continuity: Anisomeridium ranunculosporum (Nationally Scarce) Arthonia didyma, Pertusaria leioplaca Strigula taylori (Nationally Scarce) Birds: Green Woodpecker

Mammals: Invertebrates: Helophilus pendulus Fungi; Inonotus hispidus, Nectria galligena, Encoelia furfuracea, Ganoderma australe, Uromyces ficariae, Pleurotus cornucopiae, Rigidoporus ulmarius, Kretschmaria deusta, Polyporus squamosus, Eutypa spinosa (Nationally Scarce), Laetiporus sulphureus, Calocera viscosa, Ganoderma australe,

Stoke Park Meadow Flora Surveys 4th July 2013 Surveyors: Justin Smith (Woodland and Wildlife Officer for Bristol City Council) and Becky Coffin (Nature Conservation Officer for BCC)

Weather: Hot and sunny * = Species indicative of good habitat quality

Species rich south facing Slope: ST6166377086 - ST6160177110; E-W (number 1 on the map)

Species/Plot Number 1 2 3 4 5 NVC Community or Anthills + Anthills + Part Sub-Community rabbit rabbit rabbit grazing grazing grazed Constants Vegetation Cover 95% 95% 100% 100% 100% Sward Height (average) in cm 5-60cm 10-30cm 20-70cm 30-70cm 20- 70cm Slope/Direction (approximately) 20’SE 25’SE 40’SSE 30’SSE 40’S Upright Brome* - 5% 50% 20% <4%m CG3, CG5 Yorkshire Fog 20% 30% <4%s <4%m 10% MG3-MG10 Lady’s Bedstraw* 20% 30% <4%s <4%m 10% MG5, CG8, U1, U4 Agrimony* 5% - <4%f - - Common Ragwort <4%s - - - - Hoary Ragwort <4%s - - - - Common Quaking Grass* - <4%m <4%m - - CG2, CG5, CG9 Glaucous Sedge* - <4%m <4%m 10% <4%m CG2-CG6, CG8, CG9 Downy Oat Grass* - - <4%s - - CG6, CG8 Birds Foot Trefoil* - 25% 10% 10% 30% MG5, CG1-CG9 Ribwort Plantain - 10% 5% 20% <4%m MG1, MG3-7, CG1-3, CG6, CG8-CG10, CG13 Sweet Vernal Grass - - <4%s <4%s 5% MG3, MG5-6, MG8, CG10-CG11 Salad Burnet* - 15% 35% 30% 30% CG1-CG3, CG5-8 Creeping Bent Grass <4%m <4%m <4%s 5% 20% MG10-13 Field Bindweed <4%m - - - - Hawthorn saplings or seedlings 10% <4%m <4%f <4%m <4%f Bramble 10% <4%s <4%f - 5% Creeping Cinquefoil <4%m - - - - CG6 Dog Rose - - <4%f - - Burnet Saxifrage* <4%f - - - - CG8 Meadow Fescue* - <4%f <4%s - - MG7 Yellow Oat Grass* - <4%m <4%s <4%f - MG5-6, CG4 Cock’s Foot Grass <4%m - <4%m 5% <4%m MG1-3, MG5-7, MG9, CG1, CG2, CG6, CG8 Ash Seedlings - <4%s <4%s - - Rough Meadow Grass <4%m MG2-3, MG7-MG10 Where CG refers to Calcareous Grassland, MG refers to Mesotrophic (Neutral) Grassland, U refers to Acid Grassland. In percentage figures of <4%, m = many (5-10 individual plants with small cover areas), s = several (3-5 individual plants with small cover areas) and f = few (1-2 individual plants with small cover areas).

Plots 3, 4, 5 have much thatch build up. Plot 5 has very showy, flowering Lady’s Bedstraw.

Keys out to a mix of calcareous and mesotrophic grassland with affinities with CG3 and MG5.

Recommendations: Haycut annually (with strimmers in areas with anthills) and remove arisings. Cut back and remove encroaching hawthorn, dog rose, bramble and other woody shrubs annually.

Walkover Survey also undertaken through grassland NE of main pond (ST61957696 to ST61827700, number 2 on the map) JHS and BC:

Dominant species: 10-30% cover (patchy and irregular). Sward height 30cm average.

Species NVC Affinities Meadow Barley (30-50% dominant) MG9 White Clover MG1, MG3-10, MG12, CG2-8, CG13-14 Crested Dog’s Tail MG1, MG3, CG1-4, CG6, CG8-10, CG13, U4-6, U8-10 Timothy Grass MG1, MG3-7, MG9-11, CG2-3, CG6, U1 Meadow Buttercup MG1-12, CG10-14, U4-5, U13-15, U17, U20 Sweet Vernal Grass MG1-10, MG12-13, CG2-7, CG9-14, U1-6, U13- U21 Yorkshire Fog MG1-13, CG1-7, CG10, U1, U4, U17, U19, U20 Creeping Bent Grass MG1, MG4-13, CG2-4, CG6, CG7, U1, U19-20 Lesser Trefoil MG4-7, CG1, U1

Keys out as semi-improved grassland with strong affinities for mesotrophic or neutral grassland (elements of MG1, MG4, MG9) Recommendations: to hay cut annually and remove arisings, as current prescription.

Earlier in year, much of the lower meadows outside of area above, dominated by Meadow Fox Tail, but still semi-improved (grass dominated with a few flowers of buttercup), with strong affinities for MG4, with margins and path sides of False Oat, Cocks Foot and Yorkshire Fog dominated MG1.

Recommendations: to hay cut annually (possibly twice a year) and remove arisings, as current prescription.

Walkover survey of Plateau Fields, 5th July 2013, (ST61267696 to ST61367723 to ST61617732, number 3 on the map) JHS

Dominant species: 10-30% cover (patchy and +/- irregular). Sward height 4-60cm average

Species NVC Affinities False Oat (50% in places) MG1-7, MG9, MG11, MG12, CG2-8, U16 Timothy Grass MG1, MG3-7, MG9-11, CG2-3, CG6, U1 Cocks Foot MG1-MG13, CG1-9, U1, U4 Perennial Rye MG1, MG3-MG12, CG2-4, U4 Meadow Barley MG9 Yorkshire Fog MG1-13, CG1-7, CG10, U1, U4, U17, U19, U20 White Clover MG1, MG3-10, MG12, CG2-8, CG13-14

Dandelion MG1-12, CG1-9, CG11-14, U1, U4, U15, U17

+<5%- Meadow Buttercup, Crow Garlic, Hogweed, Jack Goes to Bed at Noon*, Rough Hawksbeard, Field Bindweed, Crested Dog’s Tail, Red Clover, Cut Leaved Cranesbill, Soft Brome, Rough Meadow Grass, Curled Dock, Broad Leaved Dock, Common Sorrel, Creeping Bent Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Lesser Trefoil, some scarce patches of Birds foot Trefoil* and Tufted Vetch, with shorter (average 30cm), but similar sward to the south (ST61297684) with extra Couch Grass (<5%), and Meadow Foxtail (10-30%). Keys out to a semi-improved mix of MG1, MG4 and MG6 (grass dominated with few flowers).

Recommendations: to hay cut annually (possibly twice a year) and remove arisings, as current prescription.

Walkover survey of Marshy Grassland, NE of pond in lower fields 17th July 2013 (Centroid: ST61997700, number 4 on the map) JHS and BC

Dominant species: 10-30% (patchy). Sward height 20-80cm

Species NVC affinities Great Willowherb MG1 Hairy Sedge* MG4, MG9, MG10 Velvet Bent Grass CG10-13, U2, U5-7, U10, U13-17, U19-21 Yorkshire Fog MG1-13, CG1-7, CG10, U1, U4, U17, U19, U20 Marsh Fox Tail Grass MG6, MG7, MG10, MG11, MG13 Greater Birds Foot Trefoil* MG1, MG5, MG8-10 Common Reed (Phragmites) MG12 Floating Sweet Grass MG7, MG9, MG10, MG13 Creeping Cinquefoil MG1, MG5-6, MG11, CG3, CG6, CG7, U1 Tufted Hair Grass MG2-4, MG6, MG9, MG13, CG2, CG9-13, CG14, U4-19

<10% cover: Hoary Willowherb, Timothy Grass, Teasel, Hedge Bindweed, Hard Rush, Compact Rush. Community shows strong affinities for MG10 rush pasture, but with either an acidic or calcareous influence as indicated by populations of Velvet Bent.

Recommendations: to hay cut annually or biennially and remove arisings, outside of wet seasons, as current prescription.

Walkover survey of sloping Marshy Grassland, SW of pond, 17th July 2013 (Centroid: ST61507673, number 5 on the map) JHS and BC

Dominant species: 10-30% (patchy). Sward height 20-80cm

Species NVC affinities Hard Rush MG4, MG5, MG7, MG9, MG10, MG12 Great Willowherb MG1 Creeping Buttercup MG1, MG3-MG11, MG13, CG3-4, CG10, U4, U20 Creeping Thistle MG1, MG4-7, MG9-13, CG2-4, CG6, U4, U20 Creeping Cinquefoil MG1, MG5-6, MG11, CG3, CG6, CG7, U1 Self-Heal MG1-6, MG8-10, CG1-11, CG13-14, U4, U15, U19, U20 Timothy Grass MG1, MG3-7, MG9-11, CG2-3, CG6, U1

<10% cover: Hoary Ragwort, Meadow Vetchling, Tufted Vetch, Hoary Ragwort, Velvet Bent.

Community is degraded semi-improved grassland showing affinities with MG1 with elements of damp grassland.

Recommendations to hay cut twice a year with removal of arisings, to reduce nutrient availability.

Stoke Park Reptile Survey

Surveyors: Justin Smith and Becky Coffin.

Date April – June 2013

1. ST6210777321 SE facing bank West of Dower House, 6 mats 2. ST6220577252 SSW facing bank below Dower House, 4 mats 3. ST6230777213 SE facing bank below Dower House, 8 mats 4. ST6233877145 Level ground by motorway, 7 mats 5. ST6192176928 Level ground northern side of pond, 4 mats 6. ST6176877113 SSW facing slope below monument, 6 mats 7. ST6163877091 S facing slope above scrub, 4 mats.

Table shows positive results, negative results are not listed

Date Location No. of mats No. of reptiles with reptiles 26.04.13 Area 1 1 1 adult male slow worm Area 2 1 1 adult male slow worm 03.05.13 Area 1 1 1 male slow worm Area 2 4 2 female slow worm 1 male slow worm 1 adult grass snake Area 7 1 1 female slow worm 09.05.13 Area 1 1 1 adult male slow worm Area 2 1 1 adult male slow worm Area 5 1 1 juvenile grass snake 22.05.13 Area 6 1 1 adult grass snake 07.06.13 Area 1 1 1 juvenile slow worm

Stoke Park Hermitage and Long Wood Fungi Survey 2009/10

Latin Name Common Grid Reference Location Specific Date Recorder Comments Name (dd/mm/yyyy) Hermitage/Long Wood, Agaricus benesii* NS Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 8 with oak, hazel, wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Amylostereum laevigatum Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith Hermitage/Long Wood, Annulohypoxylon cohaerens Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on beech Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria gallica Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith in ash and debris Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria mellea Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on ash stump Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 11 at base of yew Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 53 at base of ash Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 17 at base of hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 5 at base of ash + on log nearby Hermitage/Long Wood, Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 110 around and at base of beech Hermitage/Long Wood, 150 in line near hazel, hawthorn and Armillaria ostoyae Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith fallen oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Biscogniauxia nummularium Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on beech Hermitage/Long Wood, Bisporella citrina Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith On elm branch Hermitage/Long Wood, Coprinus disseminatus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 60 on roots of wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Coprinus micaceus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 8 on buried ash wood Hermitage/Long Wood, Cortinarius hinnuleus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 with oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Cortinarius umbrinolens Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 near oak, hazel, wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Crepidotus applanatus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 25 on cut oak stump Hermitage/Long Wood, Daldinia concentrica Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on ash and hazel Entoloma rhodopolium var Hermitage/Long Wood, pseudopolitum Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 3+7+3 in hazel litter Hermitage/Long Wood, Galerina marginata Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 3 on elm log Hermitage/Long Wood, Ganoderma australe Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on hazel log Hermitage/Long Wood, Geastrum triplex Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 14 with yew, ash, wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Hypholoma fasciculare Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on aspen and hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Hypholoma fasciculare Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 20 on sycamore stump Hermitage/Long Wood, Hypoxylon fragiforme Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on beech Hermitage/Long Wood, Hypoxylon fuscum Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith Hermitage/Long Wood, Hypoxylon rubiginosum Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on ash branches Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe asterospora Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1+8 below beech and oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe xanthocephala* NS Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 4 near English Elm, hazel, Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe cookei Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 13+4+19 around holm oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe cookei Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 3 below oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe cookei Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 14 below beech and oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe godeyi Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 2 in dog's mercury, ivy near hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe haemacta* Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 39 with hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe lilacina Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 with hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe maculata Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 5+6+2 near oak, hawthorn Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe mixtilis Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 2 with oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe phaeoleuca Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 5 with hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Inocybe rimosa agg Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 near English Elm, hazel, hawthorn Hermitage/Long Wood, Inonotus dryadeus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 4+4+3 on living holm oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Kretschmaria (Ustulina) deusta Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on standing, dead beech Hermitage/Long Wood, Laccaria amethystina Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 near hazel, ash, wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Laetiporus sulphureus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 2 colonies on yew and oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Lecanora albella Lichen ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith common on ash twigs Hermitage/Long Wood, Lecanora chlarotera Lichen ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith common on ash twigs Hermitage/Long Wood, Marasmius wynnei Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 4 in dog's mercury, ivy near hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Melampsora populnea Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on aspen leaves Hermitage/Long Wood, Melanoleuca polioleuca Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 near hazel and ash Hermitage/Long Wood, Microsphaeria alphitoides mildew/fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on sucker oak leaves Hermitage/Long Wood, Mycena galericulata Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 11 on oak and ash wood Hermitage/Long Wood, Mycena polygramma Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 2 in beech and oak litter Hermitage/Long Wood, Mycena rosea Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 3 in dog's mercury near hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Mycena speirea Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith Hermitage/Long Wood, Oudemansiella radicata Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1+1 near hazel, ash, yew, wych elm Hermitage/Long Wood, Pluteus cervinus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 in ash debris Hermitage/Long Wood, Polyporus squamosus Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith Hermitage/Long Wood, Postia subcaesia Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 on hazel branch Hermitage/Long Wood, Russula cuprea* Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 with oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Russula cyanoxantha Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 with oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Russula ionochlora Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1+3 with ash, wych elm and oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Russula pseudointegra Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 6+1 with oak Hermitage/Long Wood, Schizopora paradoxa Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith On oak branches Hermitage/Long Wood, Stereum subtomentosum Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on elm log Hermitage/Long Wood, Trametes gibbosa Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on beech Hermitage/Long Wood, Trametes versicolor Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 1 colony on hazel log Hermitage/Long Wood, Trametes versicolor Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith Hermitage/Long Wood, Vuillemina coryli* Fungus ST618775 Lockleaze 08/10/2009 Justin Smith on hazel Hermitage/Long Wood, Xerocomus porosporus Fungus ST617776 Lockleaze 15/09/2010 Justin Smith 4 with oak

ST67-0-025-006

STOKE PARK SNCI REVIEW

SITE NAME: STOKE PARK SNCI

LOCATION: NORTHEAST BRISTOL

GRID REFERENCE: ST612765

SURVEY DATE: 16 AND 22 JULY 2008

WEATHER: FINE AND HOT

BRERC Third Floor Bristol Central Library College Green Bristol BS1 5TL www.brerc.org.uk

July 2008

BRERC

1 INTRODUCTION

BRERC has been commissioned by Bristol City Council to undertake a review of boundaries of a number of Sites of Nature Conservation Interest, and to assess their status on-site. The work to date has involved reviews of the existing information layer compiled by BRERC in 2002 and any known and agreed updates since then as well as on-site examination of any boundary issues and anomalies arising from previous analyses.

The methodology did not include a full survey, therefore habitats have not been mapped and species records are incidental records made whilst on site. As such, failure to record species does not infer that it is not present on site. This may have implications for the SNCI criteria scoring, in particular as regards diversity and rarity of species, presence of BAP species and important populations. Accurate mapping and assessment of any UKAP Priority Habitats potentially present was also not possible within the constraints of the site visits.

Stoke Park SNCI is a large site (approx 92 hectares) lying west of the M32 motorway in northeast Bristol (see Figure 1 and Figure 2).

2 SURVEY

Species in bold are notable in the BRERC region. Other notable features are also in Bold.

2.1 Landform

Stoke Park comprises a ridge including plateau areas and a series of valleys draining into the valley bottom to the east.

2.2 Surrounding land

The site is surrounded by urban development, amenity grassland and farmland, with the M32 forming the boundary along the southeast.

2.3 Habitat Overview

Semi-natural broad-leaved woodland; dense and scattered scrub; tall herb communities

Amenity grassland; semi-improved and unimproved neutral grassland; calcareous grassland

2.4 Habitat Description

2.4.1 Semi-natural broad-leaved woodland, scrub and tall herbs Semi-natural broad-leaved woodland; dense and scattered scrub; tall herb communities

Small pockets of woodland occur on the site. North of South Hayes in the southwest of the site (ST607757), is an area of secondary woodland mixed with dense scrub. Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and Ash Fraxinus excelsior are most frequent in the canopy, with Hawthorn Cratageus monogyna, Field Maple Acer campestre and English Elm Ulmus procera making the bulk of the understorey.

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 1 of 13

BRERC

Ash is most frequent in the canopy of Pale Plantation (ST613769); English Oak Quercus robur, Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa and Beech Fagus sylvatica also occur. Regeneration of many species is evident. The understorey contains Hazel, Holly Iles aquifolium, Field Maple, English Elm, Hawthorn and Elder Sambucus nigra. The ground flora is dense in places and consists of patches of Enchanters Nightshade Circaea lutetiana, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Wood False- brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dog’s Mercury Mercuralis perennis and tall herbs. Ivy Hedera helix covers the ground in many places.

Pond Field Wood (ST615767) has a canopy dominated by Ash, with an understorey of Hawthorn and Field Maple. The woodland either side of the entrance from Park Road east of the M32 (ST620767) is notable for its high proportion of English Oak.

In many areas of the site scrub has developed; where grassland is unmanaged it is scattered, with dense scrub occurring adjacent to woodland blocks and along the boundary with the M32. Here it is developing into secondary woodland with Ash and Sycamore the most abundant in the canopy. NVC W21 Crataegus monogyna- Hedera helix scrub is the most common scrub type, with W24 Rubus fruticosus- Holcus lanatus underscrub also frequent and small pockets of W22 Prunus spinosa- Rubus fruticosus agg. also present.

Patches of tall herbs are common adjacent to and within woodland and scrub. Most frequent are areas of Nettle Urtica dioica, Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium and Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum.

2.4.2 Grassland Amenity grassland; semi-improved and unimproved neutral grassland; calcareous grassland

Grassland of various types forms the bulk of the site. Much of it is poor semi-improved neutral grassland, but there are several smaller areas of more diverse semi-improved neutral grassland, as well as unimproved pockets both neutral and calcareous in nature. Areas of unmanaged semi-improved grassland tend to be species-poor MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland in character; those receiving a regular cut intermediate between species-poor MG5 Cynosurus cristatus- Centaurea nigra and MG6 Lolium perenne- Cynosurus cristatus grassland. Perennial rye-grass being frequent only adjacent to paths, but herbs being of low cover and diversity.

The better areas have a greater frequency and abundance of herb species, including Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum, Common Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata, Field Scabious Kautia arvensis, Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, Grass Vetchling L. nissola, Hawbits Leontodon sp., Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus, Burnet Saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, Self-heal Prunella vulgaris, Red Clover Trifolium pratense, Common Centaury Centaurium erythrea, Spiny Rest-harrow Ononis spinosa and Red Bartsia Odontites verna. Some of these areas are likely to conform to UKBAP Priority Habitats Lowland Meadows and Lowland Calcareous Grassland. To confirm this and their extent a full botanical survey would be required.

Ponds, notably Duchess Pond, occur within the site but as their inclusion within the SNCI is not in doubt, they were not considered in detail during the site visit beyond noting their contribution to the diversity of the site overall.

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 2 of 13

BRERC

2.5 Boundaries

The boundaries are formed variously by the M32, minor roads, field and domestic property boundaries, edges of amenity grassland and to the northeast the Bristol City county boundary. The eastern boundary of the Lockleaze Playing Fields compartment is not represented by any feature on the ground or within the OS layers; however, it does reasonably reflect a change in sward composition from more species-rich within the site to species-poor Perennial Rye-grass and White Clover dominated outside of the boundary.

3 MANAGEMENT

Areas of amenity grassland are regularly mown short, some grassland areas have a hay cut taken from them and other large areas appear to be unmanaged. No evidence of management of the woodland compartments was obvious, apart from some recent felling adjacent to Sir Johns Lane.

4 FACTORS AFFECTING THE SITE

4.1 Public Use

The site is very well used by the public for walking and recreation. Duchess Pond is managed for anglers.

4.2 Educational Value/Amenity

Situated within such a large population centre, the site has great educational potential and extremely high amenity value.

4.3 Threats

The main threat would appear to be inappropriate management of grassland. Large areas are left uncut and are becoming increasingly rank, species-poor and invaded by undesirable species such as Creeping Thistle or scrub, whilst other areas are managed as amenity grassland being regularly mown short. Many of the grassland areas are quite species-poor and borderline for inclusion within the SNCI on ecological merit alone. A continued lack of cutting is likely to result it in further reduction in quality with increased dominance by rank grasses, decline in diversity and increased frequency of negative indicators such as Creeping Thistle. The development of species-poor scrub would result in the medium term.

For the time being these areas have been retained in order to maintain the size and integrity of the site, as well as for access, aesthetic, landscape reasons.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS ON SITE STATUS AND SITE BOUNDARIES

5.1 Site status

The site appears to meet the criteria of an SNCI.

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 3 of 13

BRERC

5.2 Site boundary changes

A number of amendments are recommended to the site boundary, which is shown in Figure 3. An explanation is given below and illustrated in Figure 4a (north) and Figure 4b (south).

The three privately owned fields lying to the southwest of the site between the M32 and the private access road to Heath House Priory Hospital (central grid references ST611758, ST609759 and ST611760) were not visited as no permission was available. From the road, they appear to be species-poor and improved in nature, with a very short sward and managed as horse paddock. As such they may be suitable for exclusion from the SNCI; however previous reports note banks of semi-improved neutral grassland within the fields and therefore they have been retained pending a survey to determine any areas within that would warrant their permanent retention.

Wherever possible, digitising accuracy has been achieved by following OS MasterMap features where these are appropriate to conditions on the ground; where these do not marry a combination of aerial photos and on-site observation has been used.

Extensions: 1. 952m2 to include an area of scrub comparable to and contiguous with the rest of the site (central GR ST61087638). Digitised following landline 2. 973m2 to include an area of relatively species-rich though rank grassland, tall herbs and concrete structure with Reflexed Stonecrop Sedum rupsetre (CGR ST61167649). Digitised mostly using aerial photo and on-site observation. 3. 2.55ha to include two fields of moderately species-rich semi-improved neutral grassland which may conform to the UKAP Priority Habitat Lowland Meadows, managed as pasture grazed by cattle (CGR ST621768). This area appears to be private land, and was assessed from within the SNCI boundary; therefore a full survey of the two fields is recommended. Digitised following landline 4. 6,202m2 to include a rank but relatively species-rich semi-improved field with abundant Yorkshire Fog, Red Fescue, Common Bent and frequent Upright Brome Bromopsis erectus, Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Lady’s Bedstraw, Meadow Barley, Ribwort Plantain and Meadow Vetchling (CGR ST606755). May conform to UKAP Priority Habitat Lowland Calcareous Grassland. Digitised following landline along south border, existing SNCI boundary to north and aerial photo along hedge-line to east (hedge included) 5. 533m2 to include main access to western part of site (CGR ST60597582). Digitised following peck and landline

Exclusions: 6. 251m2 to take the boundary back to landline represented on ground by fence (CGR ST61287658). Area between fence and footpath (previous boundary) of no special merit. Digitised following landline. 7. 4,611m2 to exclude a recent plantation comprising primarily non-native Pine with a few Beech (CGR ST62417719). Digitised following landline 8. 2,544m2 to exclude private road (CGR ST61017612). Digitised to road 9. 1,465m2 to exclude disturbed area around new-build property and car parking (CGR ST60797597). Digitised using combination of landline, road and from end point of two landlines 10. 2.14ha to exclude an area of close-cut, species-poor amenity grassland (CGR ST60767558). Digitised following landline along the east side, elsewhere by aerial photo and on-site observation to the line of mowing, leading to a more species-rich semi-improved neutral grassland zone just south of the scrub being retained within the site Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 4 of 13

BRERC

11. 781m2 to exclude road (CGR ST60547589) 12. 6,200m2 to exclude improved grassland (left to grow long, then cut and arisings left smothering vegetation beneath) and poor scrub area (CGR ST60617620) 13. An area of 1,437m2 to exclude road from SNCI (CGR 60977631). Digitised following landline.

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 5 of 13

BRERC

6 SPECIES RECORDED ON SITE

Notable species are emboldened.

Please note methodology did not involve full survey and that this therefore does not represent a comprehensive species list for the site.

Please note - the various BAP statuses should not be relied upon as the various statuses are currently undergoing review. Presently only the UK BAP List has been recently updated (June 2008) onto the BRERC Species Dictionary.

UKAP - Currently listed as having a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP Species) SWAP - Currently listed in South West Biodiversity Action Plan (SW BAP Species) Avon - Currently listed in Avon Biodiversity Action Plan Bnes - Currently listed in Bath and North East Somerset Biodiversity Action Plan Bristol - Currently listed in Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan NSom - Currently listed in North Somerset Biodiversity Action Plan SGlos - Currently listed in South Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan

Please note - the absence of records in the following tables does not mean that species or habitats are not present on site, merely that they were not apparent at the time of survey

6.1 Species entered onto the BRERC species database

Stoke Park SNCI (Central GR), Woodland & Scrub ST612765

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Field Maple Acer campestre Norway Maple Acer platanoides Sycamore (tree) Acer pseudoplatanus Horse-chestnut (tree) Aesculus hippocastanum Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Lesser Burdock Arctium minus False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum Silver Birch Betula pendula False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum White Bryony Bryonia dioica Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium Large Bindweed Calystegia silvatica Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 6 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense Traveller's Joy Clematis vitalba Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Hazel Corylus avellana a cotoneaster (unidentified) Cotoneaster sp. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum Common Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Square-stalked Willowherb Epilobium tetragonum Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense Hemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum Beech Fagus sylvatica Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica Ash Fraxinus excelsior Cleavers Galium aparine Herb-robert Geranium robertianum Herb Bennet Geum urbanum Ivy Hedera helix Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta  Holly Ilex aquifolium Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Cox's Orange Pippin apple Malus domestica Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis Hart's-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata Greater Plantain Plantago major a poplar Populus x canadensis Wild Cherry Prunus avium Evergreen Oak Quercus ilex Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens Field Rose Rosa arvensis Dog Rose Rosa canina Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 7 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Elder Sambucus nigra Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius Charlock Sinapis arvensis Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Rowan Sorbus aucuparia a whitebeam (unidentified) Sorbus sp. Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica Yew Taxus baccata a lime Tilia x europaea Upright Hedge-parsley Torilis japonica English Elm Ulmus procera Common Nettle Urtica dioica Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta Common Vetch Vicia sativa Bush Vetch Vicia sepium

Stoke Park SNCI (Central GR), Grassland ST612765

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Yarrow Achillea millefolium Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria Common Bent Agrostis capillaris Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Wild Onion Allium vineale Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis Barren Brome Anisantha sterilis Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius Daisy Bellis perennis False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum Black Mustard Brassica nigra Upright Brome Bromopsis erecta Meadow Brome Bromus commutatus Soft-brome Bromus hordeaceus Glaucous Sedge Carex flacca Hairy Sedge Carex hirta Pill Sedge Carex pilulifera   Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 8 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris Beaked Hawk's-beard Crepis vesicaria Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis Crested Dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata Heath-grass Danthonia decumbens Wild Carrot Daucus carota Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum Common Couch Elytrigia repens Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica Tall Fescue Festuca arundinacea Red Fescue Festuca rubra Cleavers Galium aparine Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium molle Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum Round-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium rotundifolium Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus Yellow Feather-moss Homalothecium lutescens Meadow Barley Hordeum secalinum Perforate St. John's-wort Hypericum perforatum Hard Rush Juncus inflexus Field Scabious Knautia arvensis Greater Lettuce Lactuca virosa  White Dead-nettle Lamium album Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis Rough Hawkbit Leontodon hispidus Lesser Hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Purple Toadflax Linaria purpurea Fairy Flax Linum catharticum Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 9 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Musk-mallow Malva moschata Common Mallow Malva sylvestris Pineapple Weed Matricaria discoidea Scented Mayweed Matricaria recutita Black Medick Medicago lupulina Tall Melilot Melilotus altissimus Red Bartsia Odontites vernus Spiny Restharrow Ononis spinosa Timothy Phleum pratense Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides Mouse-ear-hawkweed Pilosella officinarum Burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata Greater Plantain Plantago major Hoary Plantain Plantago media Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis Silverweed Potentilla anserina Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans Selfheal Prunella vulgaris Blackthorn Prunus spinosa a pear (unidentified) Pyrus sp. Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens Field Rose Rosa arvensis Dog Rose Rosa canina Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa Sheep's Sorrel [agg.] Rumex acetosella Curled Dock Rumex crispus Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa Reflexed Stonecrop Sedum rupestre Hoary Ragwort Senecio erucifolius Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. Upright Hedge-parsley Torilis japonica Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium Red Clover Trifolium pratense

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 10 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos White Clover Trifolium repens Yellow Oat-grass Trisetum flavescens Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara Common Nettle Urtica dioica Vervain Verbena officinalis Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta Bush Vetch Vicia sepium Smooth Tare Vicia tetrasperma

Stoke Park SNCI (Central GR) ST612765

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Large Skipper Ochlodes faunus Large White Pieris brassicae Green-veined White Pieris napi Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Comma Polygonia c-album Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Marbled White Melanargia galathea Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Buzzard Buteo buteo  Herring Gull Larus argentatus   Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus  Stock Dove Columba oenas Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Swift Apus apus Green Woodpecker Picus viridis  Swallow Hirundo rustica  Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Dunnock Prunella modularis   Robin Erithacus rubecula Blackbird Turdus merula Song Thrush Turdus philomelos     Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 11 of 13

BRERC

Common Name Scientific Name

UKAP SWAP Avon Bnes Bristol NSom SGlos Whitethroat Sylvia communis  Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla  Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita  Goldcrest Regulus regulus  Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Great Tit Parus major  Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus  Jay Garrulus glandarius Magpie Pica pica Jackdaw Corvus monedula Carrion Crow Corvus corone Rook Corvus frugilegus Starling Sturnus vulgaris  House Sparrow Passer domesticus  Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis  Greenfinch Carduelis chloris  Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula    

7 FILES HELD AT BRERC FOR THIS AREA

ST67-0-025-006 This report (Stoke Park SNCI Review, July 2008)

ST67-0-025-003 Ecological Survey of Stoke Park near Lockleaze ST67-0-025-004 Butterfly Map for Stoke Park near Lockleaze ST67-0-026-002-00 Ecological Survey of Field North of South Hayes near Stoke Park ST67-0-045-000 Grassland Survey of Stoke Park, Bristol ST67-0-054-000 Grassland Survey of Stoke Park Grassland, Lockleaze, Bristol ST67-0-054-001 Vegetation and Butterfly Survey of Stoke Park and Purdown, Bristol ST67-0-054-004-00 Plant and Bird Survey of Stoke Park (North-west Section), Lockleaze BREXT/18 Report Concerning the Vegetation of Stoke Park and Purdown ST57-0-099-000 Churchill Hall Grounds, Stoke Park Road, Bristol April 1987 ST57-0-099-001 Churchill Hall, Stoke Park Road, Bristol April 1994 ST67-0-025-005 Botanical survey of Stoke Park SNCI, Bristol ST67-0-182-000 Butterfly Survey of Begbrook Open Space/Stoke Park, Frenchay ST67-0-054-007 Greater Bristol Nature Conservation Strategy Survey of Stoke Park

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 12 of 13

BRERC

MAPS

Figure 1. Stoke Park Site Location Figure 2. Stoke Park pre-survey SNCI boundary Figure 3. Stoke Park recommended site boundary Figure 4a. Stoke Park (north) boundary change explanation Figure 4b. Stoke Park (south) boundary change explanation

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 13 of 13

BRERC

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 1 of 5

BRERC

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 2 of 5

BRERC

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 3 of 5

BRERC

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 4 of 5

BRERC

Stoke Park SNCI July 2008 Page 5 of 5

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Reasons for site notification

Stoke Park is of particular value for the wide range of species-rich habitats and plant communities present within its boundaries. Of particular note are large areas of unimproved neutral grassland and several large blocks of semi-natural broad-leaved woodland. Unimproved calcareous grassland and acidic grassland is also present as are areas of damp grassland / rush pasture, dense scrub and a large waterbody - Duchess Pond. Few other areas within Bristol City offer such a large expanse of species-rich and diverse habitat.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Remit

To conduct a full botanical survey over the grassland communities on the site; to make incidental notes on the species composition and status of the woodland and scrub areas. This survey will inform discussion on management activities and allow an assessment of the condition of the SNCI especially with regard to data provided by previous surveys. An assessment of the nature conservation status of the site (improving, stable, declining) will be made. All data and assessments to be presented in a report.

Description

Stoke Park SNCI covers approximately 101 hectares in the north east of Bristol. It is a broadly linear site partly occupying the eastern flank of the Pur Down – Stoke Park ridge which lies on the western side of the Frome Valley. The site covers a number of landforms from plateau through scarp face to dry valley, it runs south west to north east for a distance of 2.7km and is 800m wide at its broadest point. There are many aspects but the southeasterly aspect is predominant and the site is generally well-drained except for some areas of rush pasture in the north east. Altitude ranges between 20m in the extreme south to 89m in the north west. The M32 motorway forms the eastern boundary for much of the site’s length whilst the other boundaries of the site abut farmland and parkland which in turn are enclosed within residential, industrial and institutional development.

The western third of the site overlies Jurassic limestones of the Lower Lias Series whilst Triassic deposits distinguish the rest of the site: on the eastern side of the ridge the break of slope is marked by a band of Rhaetic Clay which gives way to a broader band of Keuper Marl. East of the motorway there are Triassic sandstones of the Keuper Series. A small area of foundered strata is present in the centre of the site and is associated with the areas that experience waterlogging.

Most of the site offers free public access but there are areas in the south where ownership is private and access is not encouraged. Ownership of the rest of the site is split between Bristol City Council and the Crown Estates. Many public footpaths cross the site and there are also many other non-statutory footpaths.

Some areas of grassland are subject to an agricultural hay cut in late summer whilst other areas in the south are managed as short-mown amenity grassland. Two of the south eastern fields are grazed by horses and other areas are subject to an autumn cut which may be for environmental purposes. The rest of the site does not appear to be managed in any form.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

A key feature of the site is the recently re-created Duchess Pond located in the north close to the site of the original Duchess Pond which was destroyed as part of the construction of the M32. The new pond has been landscaped and is fenced against the rest of the site; there is considerable angling activity here, especially at weekends with many anglers driving to the pond and some camping overnight.

The site is complex and supports many plant communities in varying states of management and succession. Only the grasslands and those areas of scattered scrub and tall herb vegetation are described here in detail. Planted trees (mostly alien species) are frequent in the south of the site whilst mature field trees (mostly native species) are scattered throughout.

Methodology

Previous detailed survey reports which included species data were obtained. These would provide a benchmark against which to assess the present condition of the site.

The site was subject to a full botanical survey by PQ on 31st August and 1st September 2004. The survey was conducted over a total of 16 hours in dry but lightly overcast conditions with short periods of brighter and hotter weather; this was part of a period of changeable weather.

Access was gained to the whole of the site with the exception of dense impenetrable scrub. The woodland was not accessed unless en route to an open vegetation community. Only incidental notes were made on the presence and relative abundance of plant species in the scrub and woodland however in the more species rich grassland communities all plant species were identified and their abundance recorded using the DAFOR scale where:

D = Dominant A = Abundant F = Frequent O = Occasional R = Rare

This measure of abundance is used nationally and is accepted as a useful tool of demonstrating species abundance within a sward. DAFOR does not offer the more objective abundance assessment that the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) can provide however it is relatively easy to apply to any site and can be used by any botanical surveyor with a minimum of survey experience. Within the DAFOR scale some surveyors will attempt a finer degree of resolution and use such assessments as OLF (Occasional but Locally Frequent), RLA (Rare but Locally Abundant) as well as other combinations. These refinements although offering greater resolution still suffer from the large degree of subjectivity inherent in the DAFOR scale.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

DAFOR can be difficult to apply on close cropped or mown swards where quick visual assessment of species distribution and abundance is very difficult especially with regard to grasses and non-rosette annual herbs.

The whole site was also mapped during the survey. All features such as paths, planted trees and concentrations of notable plant species were recorded as were approximate boundaries between discernable plant communities or between areas of greater and lower species diversity.

Results

The focus of this survey was the grasslands however the full botanical value of much of the grassland was difficult to assess as large areas of flatter ground had recently been mown for hay and the aftermath removed prior to the survey. However from the absence of rosettes and from analysis of remaining areas of adjacent uncut meadow these areas appeared to be particularly herb-poor

Elsewhere on the site a full botanical survey was conducted on areas of species rich grassland. An assessment of all areas of species rich grassland is given here:

Area 1: For the most part this is species poor grassland managed for amenity in the east and mown for hay in the west. However a short section of steep slope in the middle of this area supports a more interesting grassland sandwiched between dense and scattered scrub. These areas of grassland are of a semi-improved neutral community in the centre and a more species rich neutral community in the east demonstrating strong calcareous affinities; this more species-rich area is coarsening and there is some invasion of scattered scrub and bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. The following species were recorded in the area of neutral grassland:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium R Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria O Common bent Agrostis capillaris A Field garlic Allium oleraceum F False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media R Upright brome Bromopsis erecta A Glaucous sedge Carex flacca O Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis O Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata O Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea R Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum F Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O Field scabious Knautia arvensis F Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis O Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus O Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne O Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Black medick Medicago lupulina R Tall melilot Melilotus altissima O Timothy Phleum pratense O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga F Ribwort Plantago lanceolata O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris F Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Red clover Trifolium pratense O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens O Tufted vetch Vicia cracca O

Area 2: This is the most westerly part of the site and the only area to have a westerly aspect. There is a gentle slope here and the whole area is mown short as amenity grassland. Scattered areas of neutral grassland are present in the east where such species as strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum are frequent. Much of the rest of this area is species-poor grassland but there are many small pockets of semi-improved neutral grassland as well as some larger blocks of this community in the west. The following species list details those herb species recorded in the neutral grassland community; given the time available for survey the very short nature of the sward rendered an accurate DAFOR scoring of the grass species impracticable:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium O Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria R Black knapweed Centaurea nigra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum F Common cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata F Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis R Autumnal hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis F Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus O Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Black medick Medicago lupulina F Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga R Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Hoary plantain Plantago media O Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris F Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens F Strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum F Red clover Trifolium pratense O White clover Trifolium repens O

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Area 3: A large hay meadow which was being baled at the time of survey. Uncut areas of the field as well as an examination of the unbaled swath proved that the bulk of this field has a species-poor sward. However an area of rank grassland with a significant tall herb element present in the east of the field supported some meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis as well as chicory Cichorium intybus and agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria although both these species were rare. Running through the middle of the eastern half of the field is an unmown bank which too is mostly species poor grassland; however towards its eastern tip there is an area of semi-improved neutral grassland where grass vetchling Lathyrus nissolia is locally abundant.

Area 4: Lying on the southeastern edge of the site this is one of the areas in private ownership and was grazed by horses at the time of survey. Large blocks of scrub have invaded the western third of the field and smaller blocks of scrub are present elsewhere including around a shallow, trampled and heavily shaded pond in the south of the area. Most of the sward is species-poor however there are two blocks of semi-improved neutral grassland in the west where selfheal Prunella vulgaris, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and agrimony can be locally frequent.

Area 5: This small area lies on the Lias plateau and has a gentle south easterly aspect. Most of Area 5 consists of rank species-poor grassland however the easternmost third is a more species-rich neutral grassland although this too is rank and subject to the early stages of scrub encroachment. The following species were recorded in the neutral grassland community:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium R Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria A Common bent Agrostis capillaris A False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media O Black knapweed Centaurea nigra R Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata F Meadow fescue Festuca pratensis O Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum A Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus A Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum A Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis O Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus R Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne F Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Red bartsia Odonites verna F Restharrow Ononis repens O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga R Ribwort Plantago lanceolata O Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans R Self-heal Prunella vulgaris R Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea R Pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus O Red clover Trifolium pratense F White clover Trifolium repens F Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens O

Area 6: One of the most complex and species-rich areas of the site this lies on the steep south east facing slope between the plateau and the cutting of the M32. Most of this area consists of dense scrub but there are also many relict areas of species rich grassland albeit rank and in the early stages of scrub invasion. The largest area of neutral grassland lies in south east and is essentially a continuation of that neutral grassland community found in Area 5. This rank grassland has an abundance of lady’s bedstraw Galium verum as well as good populations of agrimony and pepper saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga. The second largest of these relict areas of neutral grassland lies in the southern centre where spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa and agrimony are common. This species-rich area lies amongst a more semi-improved neutral grassland sward which is rank and in an advanced stage of scrub invasion.

On the western fringe of Area 6, on the break of slope and adjacent to a newly erected post and wire fence, there is a narrow band of species rich neutral grassland interspersed with pockets of less species rich semi-improved neutral grassland. The neutral grassland here supports a good population of tormentil Potentilla erecta as well as other species suggesting the MG5c sub community which differs from other areas of neutral grassland on the site which are more typically MG5a and MG5b. In the extreme north of this area there is a belt of bare ground where the Keuper Marl has been exposed; neutral grassland species are colonising the less skeletal soils on the edge of this bare ground. The following is a compilation of species data from the neutral grasslands in this area:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium R Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria F Common bent Agrostis capillaris A Field garlic Allium oleraceum R False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media O Upright brome Bromopsis erecta F Glaucous sedge Carex flacca O Black knapweed Centaurea nigra F Common centaury Centaurium erythrea O Stemless thistle Cirsium acaule O Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense A Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre R Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis O Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata F Heath grass Danthonia decumbens R Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea O Red fescue Festuca rubra F Wild strawberry Fragaria vesca O Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum A Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum F Hard rush Juncus inflexus R Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis F Fairy flax Linum catharticum R Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus O Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare O Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne O Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus F Black medick Medicago lupulina O Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga O Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Hoary plantain Plantago media O Tormentil Potentilla erecta F Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris O Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris O Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens F Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor O Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea F Stone parsley Sison amomum R Lesser stitchwort Stellaria graminea O Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica O Red clover Trifolium pratense R Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens O Tufted vetch Vicia cracca F

Area 7: Another complex mosaic of grassland communities with areas of scrub at the northern and southern ends. The northern half of this area consists of species poor grassland which is partly mown and partly unmown. The southern half of Area 7 is more interesting and consists of a semi-improved neutral grassland community with pockets of neutral grassland. Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum is common throughout the whole of this area and agrimony is the most striking herb in the more species-rich areas. The following species were recorded in the neutral grassland areas:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium R Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria A Common bent Agrostis capillaris D False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media O Upright brome Bromopsis erecta R Glaucous sedge Carex flacca R Black knapweed Centaurea nigra R Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense O Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare R Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata F Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum O Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium R Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus A Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum D Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Grass vetchling Lathyrus nissolia R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis F Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus R Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne F Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Black medick Medicago lupulina O Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga R Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans R Self-heal Prunella vulgaris O Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens O Hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolia R Pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus O Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. R Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica R Red clover Trifolium pratense O White clover Trifolium repens O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens O Tufted vetch Vicia cracca R

Area 8: This area comprises one of the fields on the plateau which is mostly a mown poor semi-improved sward with pockets of tall herb and scrub around the fringes. On the south eastern side of the field however as the gradient slowly becomes steeper there is a salient of species rich neutral grassland. This community is very rank and there is considerable tall herb and scattered scrub invasion; indeed the boundaries of this community are difficult to distinguish from the leading edge of adjacent dense scrub and woodland. The following species were recorded here:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria F Common bent Agrostis capillaris F False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media R Glaucous sedge Carex flacca R Black knapweed Centaurea nigra O Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense F Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre R Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare R Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis F Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata F Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum F Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium R Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum O Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis A Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus R Timothy Phleum pratense O Ribwort Plantago lanceolata O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris R Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolia O Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica O Red clover Trifolium pratense O White clover Trifolium repens O Tufted vetch Vicia cracca F

Area 9: This is a very complex mosaic of habitats occupying two small dry valleys which lie in a bowl-shaped landform. Broadleaved woodland and dense scrub predominate in the west whilst a rank species-poor grassland sward is common in the east. Between the two there is a complex of species rich neutral grasslands, species rich calcareous grassland as well as many gradations between these communities and tall herb, scattered scrub and semi-improved neutral grassland. This area is in an advanced stage of succession towards scrub but still retains much of interest. In the north there is a knoll which supports calcareous grassland on its eastern slope and neutral grassland on its southern slope. This neutral grassland still has much of the upright brome Bromopsis erecta and salad burnet Sanguisorba minor which dominates the calcareous sward but also has much black knapweed, agrimony, meadow vetchling and burnet saxifrage. In the centre there is one of the richest areas of neutral grassland within the entire SNCI; this area shows affinities to the MG5c community with heath grass Danthonia decumbens, devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and betony Stachys officinalis but also with slightly more calcareous elements such as upright brome and salad burnet also frequent. The species composition of the calcareous community and the richer neutral grassland community are given separately below:

Calcareous grassland

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria O Common bent Agrostis capillaris A Sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum F False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media O Upright brome Bromopsis erecta D Glaucous sedge Carex flacca F Common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum R Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis O Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata O Hoary willowherb Epilobium parviflorum R Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea O Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum F Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus F Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis R Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus R Fairy flax Linum catharticum R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne R Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus F Black medick Medicago lupulina O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga O Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Hoary plantain Plantago media R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor A Red clover Trifolium pratense O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens F

Neutral grassland

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria A Common bent Agrostis capillaris F Quaking grass Briza media F Upright brome Bromopsis erecta F Glaucous sedge Carex flacca O Black knapweed Centaurea nigra O Stemless thistle Cirsium acaule R Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense O Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre R Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare O Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis R Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata O Heath grass Danthonia decumbens O Red fescue Festuca rubra F Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum F Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis F Fairy flax Linum catharticum R Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus R Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne O Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Black medick Medicago lupulina O Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa F Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga O Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Tormentil Potentilla erecta R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris O Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris O Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor A Hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolius F Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea O Betony Stachys officinalis R Devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis R Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica O Red clover Trifolium pratense F White clover Trifolium repens F Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens F

There is a small semi-circular dewpond located at the base of the northern slope.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Area 10. This area is unique in that it has a predominantly northeasterly aspect and also experiences considerably greater waterlogging than any other part of the site. In the south, on the upper slope there is semi-improved neutral grassland which verges on neutral grassland in places. The richer parts of this community support an abundance of agrimony, meadow vetchling, bird’s-foot trefoil and meadow barley Hordeum secalinum. Self-heal, black knapweed, ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare and lady’s bedstraw are also present here but are rare. Scrub and tall ruderal elements become more dominant towards the edges of the field in the south but throughout much of the rest of Area 10 tall herbs are frequent and the sward is an exceptionally rank species poor grassland with a large area of rush pasture in mid slope. In this rush pasture area, and amongst the rank grasses, hard rush Juncus inflexus is dominant and there is also an abundance of hairy sedge Carex hirta; creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans is also abundant and there are also areas where compact rush Juncus conglomeratus, soft rush Juncus effusus and glaucous sedge Carex flacca are locally frequent. Willowherb species Epilobium spp. are also common here.

Area 11. Much of this area consists of a large expanse of species-poor mown grassland however the southern slopes of Star Hill have a more diverse series of plant communities albeit rank and subject to scrub invasion. The gentler northern section of the slope is relatively species poor. However as the gradient steepens a species rich calcareous grassland community is present where upright brome is abundant along with salad burnet, glaucous sedge and lady’s bedstraw; stemless thistle Cisium acaule is locally frequent. The presence of black knapweed, marsh thistle and meadow barley would also suggest a close affinity with neutral grassland. To the west there is a complex mosaic of rank moderately species rich grassland and young scrub which has been subject to management. Here much of the scrub has been cut back but has re-grown to a height of approximately 1m; some herbs more typical of woodland communities e.g. enchanter’s nightshade Circaea lutetiana are present and there is much creeping thistle and ragwort Senecio spp. Admixed with this are neutral grassland species and areas of species-poor grassland. A narrow strip of more typically neutral grassland lies at the western foot of the slope. The following species were recorded from the calcareous grassland:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium O Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria F Common bent Agrostis capillaris A False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F Quaking grass Briza media F Upright brome Bromopsis erecta A Glaucous sedge Carex flacca O Black knapweed Centaurea nigra R Stemless thistle Cirsium acaule O Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense F Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre R Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis O Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata O Red fescue Festuca rubra O Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum A Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus F Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum F Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis F Fairy flax Linum catharticum O Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus O Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne R Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus A Black medick Medicago lupulina R Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa F Small cat’s-tail Phleum bertolonii O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga O Ribwort Plantago lanceolata F Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris R Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris O Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor F Hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolius F Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea F Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica O Goat’s-beard Tragopogon pratense R Red clover Trifolium pratense F Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens F

In the eastern edge of Area 11, adjacent to the Duchess Pond, there is a large block of species poor vegetation dominated in the south by sweet-grass (most probably floating sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans) and in the north by docks Rumex spp. There are also small amounts of pale persicaria Pesicaria lapathifolium; hairy sedge, hard rush and marsh fox- tail Alopecurus geniculatus. This unusual community is presumably the result of earthmoving associated with the construction of the pond. A shallow stream channel, dry at the time of survey, runs by this area and into the pond. The channel is presumably associated with run off from the housing development which abuts the northern end of the SNCI.

Area 12. The majority of this area is a species-poor mown grassland, however on the northern edge and directly beneath the Dower House, there is a steep salient. The lower slopes of this feature are rank and species poor however a gradual progression in species richness occurs with increasing gradient until a sudden boundary with neutral grassland is apparent. This area of neutral grassland supports abundant lady’s bedstraw and agrimony along with large amounts of black knapweed. An affinity towards calcareous grassland is apparent in the showing of upright brome in this community however the large amounts of black knapweed place it more easily within the neutral MG5 community. The following species were recorded here:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Yarrow Achillea millefolium O Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria A Common bent Agrostis capillaris F False wood-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum O Quaking grass Briza media O Upright brome Bromopsis erecta F Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Glaucous sedge Carex flacca O Black knapweed Centaurea nigra F Stemless thistle Cirsium acaule R Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis A Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata R Red fescue Festuca rubra O Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum A Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium R Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum R Field scabious Knautia arvensis R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis A Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne R Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus O Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga F Ribwort Plantago lanceolata R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Self-heal Prunella vulgaris R Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor A Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens F

Area 13. This is Duchess Pond, included in this report due to its being a large recently created water body with considerable nature conservation value and which provides an important feature in a landscape which is lacking in large static water bodies.

The pond has been created within the past five years and is an enlargement of a smaller water body which replaced the original Duchess pond that stood in the path of the M32 motorway. The pond is broadly linear and has a small rounded island (with semi-mature trees and shrubs growing on it) towards its western apex. Post and wire fencing encloses both the pond as well as a strip of mown poor semi-improved grassland on its banks as well as more lightly fenced areas of tall herbs associated with recent tree planting. At the western end of the pond there is a considerable quantity of common reed Phragmites australis; other emergents include sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus, branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum, common spike-rush Eleocharis palustris, reed-mace Typha latifolia, great sweet-grass Glyceria maxima and common water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica. Bankside species include fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, reed canary- grass Phalaris arundinacea, water mint Mentha aquatica and great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum; white water-lily Nymphaea alba is present on the surface of the pond. It is not known how many of these species have been introduced following enlargement of the pond; however great sweet-grass at least was recorded here in 1986.

At the eastern end of the main pond there is a small sluice which leads into a long and narrow water body which has only hard rush on its banks and no emergents or aquatics obvious at the time of survey.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Area 14. This is a disjunct part of the site situated to the east of the M32 and consists of two small areas of various plant communities either side of a trackway. Like many of the other areas it is suffering from high levels of scrub invasion and there is a considerable amount of tall herb vegetation in the non-wooded areas. Much of the tall herb community on the south western side of the track had been flailed prior to the survey. In the north west of this area there is a small funnel-shaped block of semi-improved neutral grassland with few species of note. The main grassland interest in Area 14 lies to the east where there is a small area of acidic grassland. This is becoming rank and is suffering from both scrub invasion and the shading effects of a developing oak woodland canopy on its southern edge. It is presumably from this area that the record of bird’s-foot Ornithopus perpusillus was recorded; however this species requires short turf and it was not recorded during this survey. Sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella , lesser stitchwort, brown bent Agrostis vinealis and creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis –all species typically associated with acidic grassland were recorded here however. The following is a full species list for this community:

English name Scientific name DAFOR

Common bent Agrostis capillaris A Brown bent Agrostis vinnealis F Sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum A False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius A Hairy sedge Carex hirta R Crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus R Heath grass Danthonia decumbens F Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata R Sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina O Red fescue Festuca rubra F Mouse-ear hawkweed Hieracium pilosella F Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus F Creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis O Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne O Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus R Field wood-rush Luzula campestris R Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga R Ribwort Plantago lanceolata R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella O Lesser stitchwort Stellaria graminea O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens R

Scrub The scrub communities on the site are typically dominated by hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. with much blackthorn Prunus spinosa, dog rose Rosa canina, elder Sambucus nigra as well as sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. Spindle Euonymus europaeaus, wild privet Ligustrum vulgare, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, English elm Ulmus procera and field maple Acer campestre are also locally present whilst English oak Quercus robur is locally common adjacent to the more mature areas of woodland and on the more acidic soils of Area 14. Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

The scrub appeared to support large numbers of small birds and there was considerable butterfly activity around flowering bramble.

Smaller ponds In the south of Area 4 there is a small field pond that is almost entirely surrounded by a thin ring of semi-mature scrub. Horses access the only open area of the pond on the western side and pound this area considerably; due to a combination of pounding and shade there appeared to be no emergent or aquatic plant species in the pond at the time of the survey and its associated wildlife value must be limited.

In the centre of Area 9 there is a semi-circular dew pond constructed from stone setts. Both small sweet-grass Glyceria declinata and plicate sweet-grass G. notata were present here along with a species of water-crowfoot Ranunculus subg. Batrachium. A number of the setts have become dislodged and silt, wooden debris and litter fill much of the pond. At the time of survey there were small areas within the pond which still held water – the recent hot weather and low rainfall had resulted in partial desiccation. Many smooth newt efts, almost fully grown, were clearly visible in the pond as were large numbers of pond snails.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Plant species lists (1993-2004) : Whole site (excluding scrub & woodland)

The following pre-existing surveys are available for a comparative assessment of the site:

1985 (AWT) Species lists and descriptions of relevance to Areas 9 and 11 only. 1986 (AWT?) Thumbnail sketch of the site with species list and poorly drawn map 1994 (BRERC) Area 2 only 1997 (BRERC) Full site survey with species lists for the more species rich grassland areas.

In addition a 1982 survey by Vic Cowling entitled “Purdown” is also available; however the copy available lacks a map defining the boundaries of the survey area and thus any use of the species data in this 1982 report would be misleading.

In the following table 2004 species data is entered as species being either present or absent. More specific data (DAFOR scores) for those species recorded in 2004 is found in the eleven individual tables for main areas of grassland described above:

Grassland species only

English name Scientific name Status Status Status Status Status 2004 1997 1994 1986 1985 (Area 2 (Areas 7- (Area 9 only) 14 only) only) X = X = X = DAFOR DAFOR Present Present Present Yarrow Achillea millefolium X X X F R Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria X X O Bent species Agrostis sp. VLF Common bent Agrostis capillaris X X Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera X X Brown bent Agrostis vinealis X Field garlic Allium oleraceum X X Meadow fox-tail Alopecurus pratensis X Barren brome Anisantha sterillis X Sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum X X R Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris X Parsley piert Aphanes arvensis VLF False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius X X X O A Mugwort Artemesia vulgaris X Daisy Bellis perennis X X X F False wood-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum X X OLF Quaking grass Briza media X X Upright brome Bromopsis erecta X X LF Soft brome Bromus hordaceus X hordaceus Musk thistle Carduus nutans O Glaucous sedge Carex flacca X LF Hairy sedge Carex hirta X Black knapweed Centaurea nigra X X O R/O Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Common centaury Centaurium erythrea X Common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum X X X F O Chicory Cichorium intybus X X Stemless thistle Cirsium acaule X X R Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense X X X O OLF Marsh thistle Cirsium palustre X X Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare X X O OLF Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis X X X Smooth hawk’s- Crepis capillaris X X X beard Beaked hawk’s- Crepis vesicaria X X beard Crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus X X LF Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata X X X F F Heath grass Danthonia decumbens X Wild carrot Daucus carota X X O Tufted hair-grass Deschampsia caespitosa X O Teasel Dipsacus fullonum X X Common couch Elytrigia repens X X Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum X X Few-flowered Epilobium parviflorum X willowherb Field horsetail Equisetum arvense X Marsh horsetail Equisetum palustre X Tall fescue Festuca arundinacea X X Sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina X X Meadow fescue Festuca pratensis X R Red fescue Festuca rubra X X R Cleavers Galium aparine X Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum X X X R Cut-leaved crane’s- Geranium dissectum X X bill Dove’s-foot crane’s- Geranium molle X X bill Hogweed Heracelum sphondylium X X R O Hawkweed species Hieracium sp. X Mouse-ear Hieracium pilosella X X O hawkweed Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus X X X O Creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis X Wall barley Hordeum murinum X X X Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum X X Perforate St John’s- Hypericum perforatum X X LF wort Common cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata X X R Jointed rush Juncus articulatus R Compact rush Juncus conglomeratus X Soft rush Juncus effusus X R Hard rush Juncus inflexus X O VLO Field scabious Knautia arvensis X X Prickly lettuce Lactuca seriola X X White dead-nettle Lamium album X X Grass vetchling Lathyrus nissolia X Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis X X O O Autumn hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis X X O Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus X X X O Lesser hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis X X Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare X X O Fairy flax Linum catharticum X Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne X X X O O/F Bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus X X X LF O Greater bird’s-foot Lotus pedunculatus X X trefoil Field wood-rush Luzula campestris X LF Heath wood-rush* Luzula multiflora* R Black medick Medicago lupulina X X X Tall melilot Melilotus altissima X Ribbed melilot Melilotus officinalis X Field forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis X Red bartsia Odonites verna X X R Restharrow Ononis repens X X Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa X X R Bird’s-foot Ornithopus perpusillus VLF Pale persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia X Redshank Persicaria maculosa X Small cat’s-tail Phleum bertolonii X Timothy Phleum pratense X X X O O/F Bristly ox-tongue Picris echioides X X Burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga X X O O Ribwort Plantago lanceolata X X X F Great plantain Plantago major X X X R O Hoary plantain Plantago media X X Annual meadow- Poa annua X X X grass Smooth meadow- Poa pratensis X grass Rough meadow- Poa trivialis X X X grass Common knotgrass Polygonum aviculare X Silverweed Potentilla anserina X Tormentil Potentilla erecta X R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans X X R R Barren strawberry Potentilla sterilis X X X Self-heal Prunella vulgaris X X X O R/O Creeping buttercup Ranunculus acris X X O Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens X X X O O/F Sorrel Rumex acetosa X X X VLF Sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella X X Clustered dock Rumex conglomeratus X X Curled dock Rumex crispus X X Broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius X O Wood dock Rumex sanguineus X Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor X X LF Hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolius X X Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea X X R O/F Pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus X R Stone parsley Sison amomum X Canadian goldenrod Solidago canadensis X X Prickly sow-thislte Sonchus asper X X Smooth sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus R Betony Stachys officinalis X OLF Lesser stitchwort Stellaria graminea X X Chickweed Stellaria media X R Devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis X X OLF Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. X X X O Upright hedge- Torilis japonica X X R/O parsley Goat’s-beard Tragopogon pratense X X Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Lesser trefoil Trifolium dubium X X Strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum X X Red clover Trifolium pratense X X X O White clover Trifolium repens X X X O Yellow oat-grass Trisetum flavescens X X Nettle Urtica dioica X X X Vervain Verbena officinalis X X Slender speedwell Veronica filliformis X Tufted vetch Vicia cracca X X Common vetch Vicia sativa X X O Bush vetch Vicia sepium X X R

GRASSLAND 140 130 83 40 37 29 TOTAL

Notes:

1. * Identification queried by 1986 survey team

2. Deviations from standard DAFOR as used in 1985 &1986 surveys:

LF Locally Frequent OLF Occasional to Locally Frequent O/F Occasional to Frequent R/O Rare to Occasional VLF Very Locally Frequent VLO Very Locally Occasional

3. Percentage of all grassland species recorded:

2004 93% 1997 59% 1994 29% 1986 26% 1985 21%

Survey dates

2004 31st August & 1st September 1997 13th & 14th August 1994 21st June 1986 17th March 1985 4th October

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Other species (2004)

Mammals A badger sett was present in DELETED REFERENCE Evidence of rabbit, grey squirrel and mole was common across the whole site.

Amphibians Approximately 16 smooth newt efts were recorded in the dewpond of Area 9 (ST615770)

Birds The following species were recorded from the site during the survey:

Bullfinch Robin Great tit Blackcap Wren Blue tit Song thrush Dunnock Long-tailed tit Green woodpecker Blackbird Coal tit Moorhen Mallard Grey wagtail Lesser whitethroat Whitethroat Chiffchaff Willow warbler Greenfinch Chaffinch Magpie Jay Carrion crow Wood pigeon Collared dove House sparrow Great spotted woodpecker Stock dove Sparrowhawk Kestrel Goldfinch Buzzard

Butterflies The following species were found in all 1km squares across the site:

Meadow brown Speckled wood Common blue Gatekeeper Large white Green-veined white Comma Small tortoiseshell Holly blue

Odonata The following species were recorded in the vicinity of Duchess Pond:

Common darter Blue-tailed damselfly

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Discussion

The data from previous surveys on this site is of limited value in attempting an assessment of changes in grassland community status. The 1997 survey is of greatest value in general but records only 59% of the total grassland species. Given the long-term lack of management across many of the more species rich areas evident in 2004 one would expect a higher total from previous surveys. Equally the 1997 survey does not accurately map the grassland communities; as none of the previous surveys offer accurate habitat maps it is not possible to offer an assessment of change over the site from 1986 to 2004. The only exception to this is the acidic grassland community in Area 14 where the 1986 and 1997 surveys make particular mention of the species to be found here. A significant loss from Area 14 is that of bird’s-foot Ornithopus perpusillus which is rare in the Bristol region and restricted to acid grasslands in the Frome Valley area; it was last recorded here in 1986.

Another observation is the lack of understanding of neutral grassland communities demonstrated by previous survey teams. This has meant that many areas of neutral grassland of the MG5a and MG5b sub-communities were wrongly described as “calcareous”. Admittedly several of these more calcicolous neutral grassland communities do present difficulties in accurate community identification especially where species such as upright brome are frequent. However the often high frequency of species such as black knapweed suggest neutral rather than calcareous grassland especially in the absence of strict calcicoles such as kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata and common rock-rose Helianthemum nummularia.

With regard to management of the rank grasslands of Areas 9 -12 it was observed that all the more accessible parts of these areas were cut in late September / early October. It is not known what was done with the arisings.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Assessment

Taken as a whole Stoke Park SNCI offers an excellent range of habitats for many taxa. It also provides an excellent recreational resource for local people as well as a visual resource for motorists using the M32. However it is apparent that the site is undergoing changes which are largely detrimental to the value of its more specialist and localized wildlife and habitats.

The site is subject to management only in terms of localized mowing which is mostly for agricultural hay or amenity grassland. The hay mowing regime affects only areas identified as species poor grassland therefore the nature conservation value of this management is limited. The amenity mowing regime on Area 2 prevents the coarsening of the sward but equally limits the potential for species-rich grassland to expand here.

It is of concern that almost without exception all the grasslands of nature conservation importance are subject to no management and are consequently in an advanced state of decline and fragmentation. Coarsening and closing of the sward, the invasion of tall herb species and very pronounced scrub encroachment are apparent across all these areas.

The succession from open grasslands towards scrub woodland is of course of great interest from an entomological and an ornithological perspective and provides habitat and lifecycle opportunities for many species which may be of local or regional significance. For example it is known that nightingale attempted to breed in the area during the early 1990s. However this is at the expense of neutral and calcareous grassland which are scarce communities in the Bristol region and which are still experiencing considerable declines within the region. Equally both these grassland communities are very difficult, if not impossible to recreate in their full form whilst successional communities are relatively easily established in a wide range of situations.

The enlargement of the Duchess Pond is of great value and it would appear that many aquatic and semi-aquatic species are establishing at this site. However the intensity of angling pressure will prevent more sensitive species from establishing here and the high levels of coarse fish will have a damaging impact on amphibian populations.

Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Status The species rich grasslands across Areas 1-2, 5-9, 11-12 and 14 can be fully assessed using the accepted BCC SNCI assessment criteria for calcareous and neutral grassland.

Area 1 (neutral grassland) scores 32 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “C-”

Area 2 (neutral grassland) scores 30 points. The amenity mowing regime over this community prevents coarsening of the sward but also limits the development of a more valuable and species-rich sward. Consequently this community scores a “C”

Area 5 (neutral grassland) scores 34 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “C-”

Area 6 (neutral grassland) scores 65 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores an “A-”

Area 7 (neutral grassland) scores 42 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “B-”

Area 8 (neutral grassland) scores 23 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “C-”

Area 9 (neutral grassland) scores 63 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “A-”

Area 9 (calcareous grassland) scores 33 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “C-”

Area 11(calcareous grassland) scores 50 points. There is a late cut made on this area; it is presumed here that this is an annual occurrence. Consequently this community scores “A-

Area 12 (neutral grassland) scores 40 points. There is a late cut made on this area; it is presumed here that this is an annual occurrence. Consequently this community scores a “B+”

Area 14 (acidic grassland) scores 31 points. There is no discernible management practiced on this habitat; however scrub control and regular cutting of the sward is needed. Consequently this community scores a “B-” Stoke Park SNCI (ST612765)

Management recommendations

There is considerable management needed to prevent the continued loss of species rich grasslands across the site. Large scale scrub control measures are needed here along with annual or biennial cutting of the sward to prevent continued dominance by rank grasses and the continued impoverishment of species rich swards. However the introduction of hardy livestock (suitable breeds of cattle would be most appropriate) to graze Areas 6, 7, 9-11 associated with a scrub control regime across these areas would be the best long- term management tool. The following is a provisional statement of value with regard to the prioritization of management across the more species rich areas:

Priority Area 1 6 2 9 3 14 4 11 5 7 6 12 7 5 8 1 9 2 10 8

The management status of the woodland and general scrub areas cannot be established from this survey except with regard to where scrub is encroaching onto species-rich grassland (see above).