Alderford Common

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.7208, 1.1509

Also within

Norfolk County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TG128183 Unfavourable Recovering 17.49 2023-08-30

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Landscape processes: Glacial

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
lesser whitethroat Breeding
lesser whitethroat Roosting
whitethroat Breeding
whitethroat Roosting
woodcock Breeding
woodcock Roosting
woodcock Wintering

Description

Area, 16.8 hectares 41.6 ac Description Alderford Common is situated on gently undulating ground and supports a wide range of habitats developed in response to variations in soils and topography. A thin layer of glacial sands and gravels cover the underlying chalk which is exposed in abandoned marl workings. A diverse chalk flora has developed in the old pits and the site forms the only remaining example of species rich chalk grassland in East Norfolk. A bat roost and an outstanding assemblage of breeding birds provide additional interest. The habitats represented include scrub, woodland, bracken heath, marshy grassland and ponds. Chalk grassland occurs in the bottom of the marl pits and is dominated by red fescue Festuca rubra, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha and false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum. Many herb species are associated with the grassland and include wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, burnet saxifrade Pimpinella saxifraga, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, larger wild thyme Thymus pulegioides, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Damp hollows, on low lying ground, have a characteristic flora which includes water mint Mentha aquatica, pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris and a large population of adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. Secondary woodland dominated by silver birch Betula pendula and pedunculate oak Quercus robur, open bracken heath and dense scrub surround the marl workings. Two ponds are also present and a small marshy area has developed around one with abundant meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria. The thick blackthorn Prunus spinosa and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna scrub provides suitable nesting sites for a wide range of breeding birds including the largest population of nightingales in East Norfolk. Other notable breeding birds are lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, turtle dove, woodcock and hawfinch. The ponds are used as breeding sites by several species of amphibians including a small population of the scarce warty newt Triturus cristatus. An old lime kiln is used by bats both as a winter hibernating site and as a daytime roost during the summer months.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
great crested newt Triturus cristatus LC amphibian salamandridae
turtle dove Streptopelia turtur CR (Breeding) bird-dove columbidae
hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes EN (Breeding) bird-finch fringillidae
whitethroat Sylvia communis Not listed in GB list bird-warbler sylviidae
lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca Not listed in GB list bird-warbler sylviidae
woodcock Scolopax rusticola LC (NonBreeding), VU (Breeding) bird-woodcock scolopacidae
adders-tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum LC fern ophioglossaceae
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha NT grass poaceae
dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule VU herb asteraceae
wild basil Clinopodium vulgare LC herb lamiaceae
spotted orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii LC herb orchidaceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
dropwort Filipendula vulgaris LC herb rosaceae
marsh pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris VU herb araliaceae
water mint Mentha aquatica LC herb lamiaceae
burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga NT herb apiaceae
large garden Thymus pulegioides VU herb lamiaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
birch Betula pendula LC tree betulaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae

Insects 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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Brachypodium sylvaticum
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus robur
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Filipendula ulmaria
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca rubra
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Brown hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
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, Mentha spp.
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
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
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Pimpinella saxifraga, Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Brachypodium sylvaticum
Swallowtail papilio
Papilio machaon
Near Threatened Pimpinella saxifraga
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 5 species from the description above: Betula pendula, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus robur

Hedera 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 4 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Prunus spinosa

Hedera 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

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Festuca rubra, Prunus spinosa, Quercus robur

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria

Salix 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