Bickerton Hill

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.0726, -2.7481

Also within

Cheshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SJ495529 Unfavourable Recovering 31.74 2023-12-06
SJ502531 Unfavourable Recovering 59.25 2023-12-06

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Triassic · Rock Type: Sandstone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
pied flycatcher Breeding

Description

Description Bickerton Hill has been notified as a representative of the few and comparatively small sized, remaining areas of lowland heath in Cheshire and for its assemblage of reptiles. The vegetation varies from open heathland, to dense developing birch Betula pendula woodland. Heather Calluna vulgaris wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa and heather western gorse Ulex gallii form the main open heathland community types. General Description Bickerton Hill is the southern most part of a small range of hills of the Triassic era that rise above the plain of central Cheshire. Most of the site lies on a Keuper sandstone ridge and the soils are acidic in nature. Those on the ridge comprise mainly acidic brown sands grading to leached podzolic soils or to deeper less sandy brown earths. The top of the hill and areas of the scarp slope are dominated by dwarf shrub species such as heather and bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus with bracken Pteridium aquilinum occurring in parts. Other heathland species also occur such as bell heather Erica cinerea with patches of western gorse and broom Cytisus scoparius. Most of the woodland is dominated by birch however oak Quercus petraea, aspen Populus tremula, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, gean Prunus avium and holly Ilex aquifolium are also present. Heather and bilberry are locally dominant in the woodland ground flora with the broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata locally frequent. The site supports several species of reptile including, the adder Vipera berus, common lizard Lacerta agilis and slow worm Anguis fragilis. Other fauna includes breeding pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, the locally uncommon green hairstreak butterfly Callophrys rubi and glow worm Lampyris noctiluca as well as a number of nationally scarce invertebrates. These include the bleached pug moth Eupithecia expallidata, alder kitten moth Furcula bicuspis and the soldier beetle Malthinus frontalis. Other Information Boundary extension. Approximately 90 percent of the site is owned and managed by the National Trust.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites
Latin name
search with Google
IUCN / Red List Type Family
soldier beetle Malthinus frontalis LC beetle cantharidae
glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca LC beetle glow-worm lampyridae
pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca VU (Breeding) bird-robin muscicapidae
green hairstreak Callophrys rubi LC butterfly lycaenidae
broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata LC fern dryopteridaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
bleached pug Eupithecia expallidata Not listed in GB list moth geometridae
alder kitten Furcula bicuspis Not listed in GB list moth notodontidae
slow worm Anguis fragilis LC reptile anguididae
sand lizard Lacerta agilis EN reptile lacertidae
adder Vipera berus NT reptile viveridae
broom Cytisus scoparius LC shrub fabaceae
western gorse Ulex gallii LC shrub leguminosae
billberry Vaccinium myrtillus LC shrub ericaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
birch Betula pendula LC tree betulaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
aspen Populus tremula LC tree salicaceae
wild cherry Prunus avium LC tree rosaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae

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
Speckled footman
Coscinia cribraria
Critically Endangered Vaccinium myrtillus
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus petraea
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Prunus spp.
Dark bordered beauty
Epione vespertaria
Endangered Populus tremula
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Prunus spp.
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Betula spp., Quercus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Populus spp., Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Pteridium aquilinum, Vaccinium myrtillus
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta
Vulnerable Populus spp., Populus tremula
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Betula spp., Populus tremula, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Populus spp., Quercus spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Erica cinerea, Ulex spp.
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Cytisus scoparius
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Populus spp., Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Quercus petraea
No common name
Zeugophora turneri
Vulnerable Populus tremula
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
Purple emperor
Apatura iris
Near Threatened Populus tremula
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia
Minor shoulder-knot
Brachylomia viminalis
Near Threatened Populus tremula
Broom-tip chesias
Chesias rufata
Near Threatened Cytisus scoparius
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Populus spp.
Rosy marsh moth
Coenophila subrosea
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Betula pendula
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Populus spp., Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
The Silurian
Eriopygodes imbecilla
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Erica cinerea
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Populus tremula
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus petraea
Scotch burnet
Zygaena exulans
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
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

H2 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex minor heath

Matches 7 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia, Ulex gallii, Vaccinium myrtillus

Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Ulex minor, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Kurzia spp., Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cuscuta epithymum, Genista anglica, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Agrostis canina, Agrostis curtisii, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum

H4 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath, Upland dry heath

Ulex gallii-Agrostis curtisii heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex gallii, Vaccinium myrtillus

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Carex montana, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Lotus corniculatus, Thymus praecox, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola lactea, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum

H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex gallii, Vaccinium myrtillus

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

H11 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Carex arenaria heath

Matches 5 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Ulex gallii, Vaccinium myrtillus

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Rosa spinosissima, Carex arenaria, Luzula campestris, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus introflexus, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Lophocolea bidentata, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Peltigera canina, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Campanula rotundifolia, Jasione montana, Cerastium fontanum, Sedum anglicum, Lotus corniculatus, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Ammophila arenaria, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Poa pratensis

H1 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Festuca ovina heath

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Carex arenaria, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia macilenta, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Teucrium scorodonia, Rumex acetosella, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum

H6 — Lizard peninsula, Lowland heath

Erica vagans-Ulex europaeus heath

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex gallii

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Prunus spinosa, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Trichostomum brachydontium, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Daucus carota, Pimpinella saxifraga, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Jasione montana, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Centaurium erythraea, Geranium sanguineum, Hypericum humifusum, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis vinealis, Aira caryophyllea, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

H3 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath

Ulex minor-Agrostis curtisii heath

Matches 3 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum

Quercus robur, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Ulex minor, Carex pilulifera, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus brevipilus, Campylopus flexuosus, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Kurzia spp., Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Hypericum pulchrum, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Viola lactea, Agrostis curtisii, Danthonia decumbens, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Zygogonium ericetorum

H5 — Lowland wet heath

Erica vagans-Schoenus nigricans heath

Matches 3 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Ulex gallii

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus maritimus, Fissidens adianthoides, Kindbergia praelonga, Scorpidium scorpioides, Calypogeia fissa, Riccardia multifida, Angelica sylvestris, Eupatorium cannabinum, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Drosera rotundifolia, Genista anglica, Hypericum pulchrum, Scutellaria minor, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula lusitanica, Linum catharticum, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Gymnadenia conopsea, Platanthera bifolia, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago maritima, Polygala vulgaris, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis vinealis, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis, Chara curta

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Matches 2 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta

M14 — Lowland dry heath, Upland wet heath

Schoenus nigricans-Narthecium ossifragum mire

Matches 2 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Ulex gallii

Pinus sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Ulex gallii, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Kurzia pauciflora, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Aneura pinguis, Riccardia multifida, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Pinguicula lusitanica, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 2 species from the description above: Dryopteris dilatata, Pteridium aquilinum

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