Otford to Shoreham Downs
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TQ529611 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 5.9 | 2011-06-17 |
| TQ530610 | — | Favourable | 2.74 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ530615 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 22.37 | 2011-06-17 |
| TQ530623 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 5.21 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ530635 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 4.3 | 2011-06-20 |
| TQ531605 | — | Favourable | 10.68 | 2011-06-17 |
| TQ531607 | — | Favourable | 2.9 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ531631 | — | Favourable | 8.94 | 2011-06-20 |
| TQ532626 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 10.34 | 2011-06-20 |
| TQ534602 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 12.24 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ535627 | — | Favourable | 15.83 | 2011-06-20 |
| TQ535632 | — | Favourable | 21.74 | 2011-06-28 |
| TQ536597 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.91 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ537626 | — | Favourable | 5.09 | 2011-06-27 |
| TQ538599 | — | Favourable | 12.92 | 2011-06-27 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Area, 147.3 ha. 363.7 ac. Description This site includes areas of species rich chalk grassland and chalk scrub and woodlands on a variety of soils. It supports a range of scarce and rare invertebrates. The site lies in the valley where the River Darent has cut through the chalk escarpment. Both chalk and overlying deposits are close to the surface and these different rock types produce varied soils, which on the hill tops are clayey and poorly drained while others, mostly on the steep slopes, are thin, calcareous chalky and freely draining. Much of the chalk downland was traditionally managed by grazing, mainly by sheep, which over centuries led to the development of very species rich chalk grassland. A lack of grazing in recent decades has led to an overgrown form of this grassland over much of the site which is dominated by upright brome grass Bromus erectus. This is still very diverse, supporting over a hundred plant species. Other plants in the sward include sheep's fescue grass Festuca ovina, red fescue Festuca rubra, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, stemless thistle Cirsium acaule, quaking grass Briza media and devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis. Two nationally scarce *1 plants are found growing here, man orchid Acerus anthropophorum and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. The formerly widespread scrub species juniper Juniperus communis occurs here at one of its last Kent localities. Much of the grassland areas grade into woodland through an intermediate scrub phase. Typically it is dominated by hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, ash Fraxinus excelsior, roses Rosa species, with traveller's joy Clematis vitalba, privet Ligustrum vulgare, black bryony Tamus communis and a variety of calcicolous chalk loving species. The scrub communities vary greatly in age from a few years to a number of decades. The woodlands vary according to the underlying geology and contain both ancient *2 and more recent sites. Areas on the deposits overlying the chalk are dominated by ash, pedunculate oak Quercus robur standards, downy birch Betula pubescens, field maple Acer campestre, hazel Corylus avellana and sweet chestnut Castanea sativa. The ground flora is dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus but includes a variety of other woodland species such as bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and giant fescue grass Schedonorus giganteus. The scarp slope woods are mainly beech Fagus sylvatica woodlands which grade into ash field maple woodlands at the foot of the scarp. The stands contain a range of tree species including yew Taxus baccata, ash, field maple, whitebeam Sorbus aucuparia, silver birch Betula pendula, hornbeam Carpinus betulus, wych elm and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. The open canopy produced by the storm of October 1987 has encouraged a ground flora dominated by bramble with traveller's joy, ivy Hedera helix, wood false brome grass Brachypodium sylvaticum and other woodland species. The variety of habitats support outstanding communities of woodland and chalk grassland invertebrate species. Amongst the nationally scarce*1 species present are moths, plumed prominant Ptilophora plumigera which feeds on field maple and Eudonia delunella which feeds on lichens and mosses on the trunks of ash, apple Malus species and occasionally on elms Ulmus species. A scarce hoverfly Cheilosia soror is present, found on the chalk downs visiting umbels in glades of woods. It has been reported to breed in truffles. *1 nationally scarce, species recorded from between 16 and 100 10 3 10km squares in Britain. *2 ancient woodland site, A wooded site believed to have been wooded since before A D 1600.
Species mentioned
Show the 38 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Black-veined moth Siona lineata |
Critically Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| New forest Zygaena viciae |
Critically Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh moth Athetis pallustris |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Glanville fritillary Melitaea cinxia |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus, Poterium sanguisorba |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp., Succisa pratensis |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Plantago lanceolata |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp., Sorbus aucuparia |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Betula pendula, Betula pubescens |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Festuca ovina, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Plantago spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| White prominent Leucodonta bicoloria |
Regionally Extinct | Betula spp. |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Plant communities
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 16 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Clematis vitalba, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Poterium sanguisorba, Quercus robur, Tamus communis, Taxus baccata
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 7 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Festuca rubra, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Plantago lanceolata
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 3 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Succisa pratensis
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa