Fairmile Bottom

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.8768, -0.5932

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (4) Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SU985090 Unfavourable Declining 26.25 2024-03-22
SU988093 Unfavourable Recovering 14.94 2022-01-20
SU994097 Unfavourable Declining 16.21 2024-03-22
SU997102 Unfavourable Declining 3.66 2024-03-22
TQ001104 Unfavourable Declining 9.12 2024-03-22

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Description Fairmile Bottom lies on a north west facing scarp slope of the South Downs where the Upper Chalk is covered by a thin layer of clay with flints. The site contains yew Taxus baccata woodland and scrub as well as unimproved chalk grassland, which are all nationally rare communities. Mature woodland occurs over much of the site and in areas where yew dominates, the dense canopy presents little opportunity for the development of shrub and ground floras. In other parts of Fairmile Bottom there is a higher proportion of beech Fagus sylvatica within the canopy and as high cut beech coppice 'stubs'. Where yew is at a minimum there is a sparse field layer of false brome grass Brachypodium sylvaticum and bramble Rubus fruticosus. Yew scrub is invading the open downland. Areas of woodland containing oak Quercus robur, ash Fraxinus excelsior and beech with coppice hazel Corylus avellana are found at Fairmile Bottom. The field layer is varied in its diversity consisting of scattered false brome and ivy Hedera helix on the lower slopes and wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides, bracken Pteridium aquilinum and bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta where the soil is deeper towards the top of the slope. Small patches of species rich chalk grassland are scattered throughout the site. The sward is dominated by sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina and upright brome grasses Bromus erectus, amongst which grow the herbs salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor and common milkwort Polygala vulgaris. To the south, the main area of grassland is composed of coarser grasses including tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata. This area is subject to considerable trampling from visitors but islands of finer rabbit grazed turf still remain where wild thyme Thymus praecox, eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa and mouse ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum are present. Orchid species at Fairmile Bottom include the bee Ophrys apifera, frog Dactylorhiza viridis and fragrant Gymnadenia conopsea orchids. The invertebrate fauna is rich and typical of the habitats present. The site supports an outstanding diversity of beetles Coleoptera including one species endangered with extinction which inhabits beech logs. The uncommon silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia and the white admiral Limenitis camilla are amongst the many butterflies present.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
silver-washed fritillary Argynnis paphia LC butterfly nymphalidae
white admiral Limenitis camilla VU butterfly nymphalidae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum LC grass poaceae
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
upright brome Bromus erectus Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis VU herb orchidaceae
wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides LC herb euphorbiaceae
common eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa LC herb orobanchaceae
fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea NT herb orchidaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
bee orchid Ophrys apifera LC herb orchidaceae
mouse_ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum LC herb asteraceae
common milkwort Polygala vulgaris VU herb polygalaceae
salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba VU herb rosaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
creeping thyme Thymus praecox Not listed in GB list herb lamiaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
yew Taxus baccata LC tree taxaceae
ivy Hedera helix LC woody climber araliaceae

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
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Poterium sanguisorba
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus fruticosus
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Rhinanthus minor
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Large nutmeg
Apamea anceps
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Pteridium aquilinum
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
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Festuca ovina, Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Silver-spotted skipper
Hesperia comma
Near Threatened Festuca ovina
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata, 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

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 12 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Dactylis glomerata, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Poterium sanguisorba, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Taxus baccata

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

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 7 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Pteridium aquilinum, 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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Dactylis glomerata, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Pteridium aquilinum

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Dactylorhiza viridis, Festuca ovina, Rhinanthus minor, Thymus praecox

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