Our resident botanist, Ben Paternoster, has carried out his annual survey of Chipps Hill. He has logged an incredible 103 different vascular plant species. This is a huge increase from the 63 species he found last year.
Ben’s conclusion on his survey was, ‘The species list indicates that the site is classed as g2a lowland calcareous grassland. The site needs to be cut and collected again in autumn to further lower the nutrient levels and to remove encroaching scrub.
There was a lower abundance of Dark Mullein and Kidney Vetch compared to last year that are the larval foodplants of the UK BAP priority species the Striped Lychnis Moths and Small Blue Butterfly.
Wild Marjoram was far more abundant than last year especially in areas where dense scrub was removed last year. It is a very important plant in supporting pollinators.
Generally herbaceous wildflowers were more abundant this year at the site, this is likely due to the removal of encroaching scrub’.
You can read Ben’s full survey here Chipps Hill Survey 2024
Please contact Hayley Glasgow, clerk@piddingtonandwheelerend.org.uk if you have any questions or comments.