How Hill Track

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.3578, 0.5743

Also within

Suffolk County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TL753764 Favourable 3.11 2010-04-28

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Habitats

Arable

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Description How Hill Track provides suitable conditions for seven rare and notable plants, all regarded as Breckland specialities. These plants are all confined to the strip of neutral grassland between the shelter belt and the adjoining arable field. This area was once the headland of the field and as such was only partially disturbed by cultivation. The track has been in existence for many years and the area was fenced off in 1980. Perennial knawel Scleranthus perennis var prostratus is confined to Breckland and is found at How Hill Track on the semi open, low sward of the track itself where it is freed from competition by taller plants. The remaining species, small Alison Alyssum alyssoides, Spanish catchfly Silene otites, Breckland speedwell Veronica praecox purple stem cat's tail Phleum phleoides, small medick Medicago minima, sickle medick Medicago sativa subsp. falcata, are all found in the longer grass of the verge. The typical associates of these varieties found on How Hill Track include, thymeleaved sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia, purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus, lady's bedstraw Galium verum, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, biting stonecrop Sedum acre, yarrow Achillea millefolium, ragwort Senecio jacobaea, bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha, common bent grass Agrostis capillaris, perennial rye grass Lolium perenne, cock's foot Dactylis glomerata and barren brome Anisantha sterilis.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
barren brome Anisantha sterilis LC grass poaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha NT grass poaceae
perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne LC grass poaceae
purple stemmed cats tail Phleum phleoides LC grass poaceae
yarrow Achillea millefolium LC herb asteraceae
small Alison Alyssum alyssoides Not listed in GB list herb brasicaceae
thyme leaved sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia LC herb carophyllaceae
purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus EN herb fabaceae
field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis LC herb convolvulaceae
lady's bedstraw Galium verum LC herb rubiaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
bur medick Medicago minima LC herb fabaceae
sickle medick Medicago sativa subsp. falcata Not listed in GB list herb fabaceae
ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LC herb plantaginaceae
perennial knawel Scleranthus perennis CR herb carophyllaceae
wall-pepper Sedum acre LC herb crassulaceae
spanish catchfly Silene otites LC herb carophyllaceae
Breckland speedwell Veronica praecox Not listed in GB list herb plantaginaceae

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
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Achillea millefolium, Lotus corniculatus
Marsh moth
Athetis pallustris
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Achillea millefolium, Plantago lanceolata
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Galium spp.
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
White-line dart
Euxoa tritici
Vulnerable Galium verum
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Plantago lanceolata
Large nutmeg
Apamea anceps
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp.
Latticed heath
Chiasmia clathrata
Near Threatened Medicago sativa
No common name
Chrysolina marginata
Near Threatened Achillea millefolium
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Galium spp., Plantago spp.
Tawny speckled
Eupithecia icterata
Near Threatened Achillea millefolium
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Achillea millefolium
Bordered pug
Eupithecia succenturiata
Near Threatened Achillea millefolium
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Dactylis glomerata
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
The blackneck
Lygephila pastinum
Near Threatened Astragalus spp.
The four-spotted
Tyta luctuosa
Near Threatened Convolvulus arvensis
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium 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

OV10 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Poa annua-Senecio vulgaris community

Matches 6 species from the description above: Achillea millefolium, Agrostis capillaris, Anisantha sterilis, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata

Bryum argenteum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis cotula, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio squalidus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tussilago farfara, Myosotis arvensis, Alliaria petiolata, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Erophila verna, Lepidium coronopus, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria officinalis, Eriodium cicutarium, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago media, Veronica arvensis, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis

OV9 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Matricaria perforata-Stellaria media community

Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anisantha sterilis, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata

Juncus bufonius, Bryum rubens, Dicranella staphylina, Kindbergia praelonga, Barbula unguiculata, Phascum cuspidatum, Tortula intermedia, Riccia sorocarpa, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Lapsana communis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Tussilago farfara, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sisymbrium officinale, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Fumaria officinalis, Geranium molle, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium montanum, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus arvensis, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Hordeum vulgare, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris

OV11 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Poa annua-Stachys arvensis community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata

Bryum erythrocarpum, Dicranella staphylina, Pleuridium subulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortula truncata, Daucus carota, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio sylvaticus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Kickxia elatine, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Aphanes microcarpa, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis

OV13 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Stellaria media-Capsella bursa-pastoris community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Anisantha sterilis, Convolvulus arvensis, Lolium perenne

Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica napus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium bonus-henricus, Chenopodium rubrum, Chenopodium urbicum, Calystegia sepium, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium album, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus myosuroides, Anisantha sterilis, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Chara vulgaris

OV3 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed less fertile acid, Pond ditch and canal

Papaver rhoeas-Viola arvensis community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Achillea millefolium, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Convolvulus arvensis

Bryum erythrocarpum, Phascum cuspidatum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis arvensis, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Eupatorium cannabinum, Matricaria discoidea, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, Sisymbrium officinale, Valerianella locusta, Arenaria leptoclados, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene latifolia, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Geranium dissectum, Epilobium hirsutum, Papaver argemone, Papaver dubium, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Veronica triphyllos, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Aphanes microcarpa, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Chara vulgaris

OV4 — Arable

Chrysanthemum segetum-Spergula arvensis community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne

Bryum rubens, Daucus carota, Artemisia vulgaris, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Brassica rapa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Raphanus raphanistrum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica arvensis, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis

OV7 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Veronica persica-Veronica polita community

Matches 1 species from the description above: Plantago lanceolata

Aethusa cynapium, Cirsium arvense, Conyza canadensis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Diplotaxis muralis, Erucastrum gallicum, Lepidium coronopus, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Lamium amplexicaule, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris

OV8 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Veronica persica-Alopecurus myosuroides community

Matches 1 species from the description above: Convolvulus arvensis

Aethusa cynapium, Anthemis cotula, Cirsium arvense, Lapsana communis, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Trifolium repens, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Chara vulgaris