Mappp.co - Higher Houghton

Also within

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1) Unfavourable Recovering (7) Unfavourable Declining (2)

Unit	Feature	Condition	Area (ha)	Assessed
ST792054	—	Favourable	0.41	2006-08-02
ST798052	—	Unfavourable Recovering	22.56	2024-02-16
ST800045	—	Unfavourable Recovering	17.3	2024-02-16
ST800055	—	Unfavourable Declining	28.79	2024-02-16
ST801047	—	Unfavourable Recovering	12.46	2010-06-21
ST801049	—	Unfavourable Recovering	12.26	2012-03-30
ST801053	—	Unfavourable Declining	18.31	2013-02-01
ST804041	—	Unfavourable Recovering	13.55	2010-06-21
ST807037	—	Unfavourable Recovering	15.1	2010-06-21
ST809047	—	Unfavourable Recovering	4.29	2012-03-30

Habitats

Coppiced woodland, Mixed scrub, Montane scrub

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Area, 139.0 ha. 343.5 ac. Description This site, which covers three dry valleys in chalk with adjacent plateau, has grassland and woodland of great diversity reflecting variation in its soils. The chalk grassland and scrub communities are particularly rich and well developed and provide excellent examples of types found in east central Dorset. The chalk slopes of Heath Bottom, Park Bottom and above Bully Wood have swards largely dominated by sheep's and red fescues, Festuca ovina and F. rubra. A range of other grasses are present including meadow oat Avenula pratensis, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha, wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, heath grass Danthonia decumbens and tall fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus. These swards are generally very rich in herbs typical of chalk downland with rock rose Helianthemum nummularium and rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus particularly abundant. valerian Valeriana officinalis is locally important and the scarce early gentian Gentianella anglica also occurs. Small areas of scrub provide interfaces against the surrounding downland which are important for the invertebrate fauna and are a prominent feature of this site. In their diversity of species including dogwood Cornus sanguinea, buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica, spindle Euonymus europaeus and whitebeam Sorbus aria, the scrub communities show strong affinities to those of central southern England. Swards of more neutral/acid character with high contents of creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera, common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and red fescue, occur on the deeper soils and over plateau deposits of Clay with Flints. On the deeper soils some of the typical chalk species still occur but only infrequently and the local appearance of lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica reflects damper more acid conditions. The semi natural woodland is of two main types. On the chalk slopes there is ash Fraxinus excelsior / hazel Corylus avellana coppice, with a varied ground flora dominated by dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis. The more acid soils of the higher ground support oak Quercus robur woodland much of it old coppice with an understorey containing holly Ilex aquifolium and hazel. Here there is a characteristic acid ground flora including bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and great wood rush Luzula sylvatica and the mosses Polytrichum formosum and Dicranum scoparium. The extent and diversity of habitat encourages strong populations of woodland and grassland animals and the sheltered chalk slopes are favoured by the typical down land butterflies including the local chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon.

Species mentioned

Show the 28 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status

English name search for this in other sites	Latin name search with Google	IUCN / Red List	Type	Family
chalkhill blue	Polyommatus coridon	VU	butterfly	lycaenidae
common bent	Agrostis capillaris	LC	grass	poaceae
creeping bent	Agrostis stolonifera	LC	grass	poaceae
sweet vernal grass	Anthoxanthum odoratum	LC	grass	poaceae
meadow oat grass	Avenula pratensis	Not listed in GB list	grass	poaceae
wood false brome	Brachypodium sylvaticum	LC	grass	poaceae
heath grass	Danthonia decumbens	NT	grass	poaceae
sheep's fescue	Festuca ovina	LC	grass	poaceae
crested hair-grass	Koeleria macrantha	NT	grass	poaceae
tall fescue	Schedonorus arundinaceus	LC	grass	poaceae
early gentian	Gentianella anglica	Not listed in GB list	herb	gentianaceae
rock roses	Helianthemum nummularium	VU	herb	cistaceae
bluebell	Hyacinthoides non-scripta	LC	herb	liliaceae
rough hawkbit	Leontodon hispidus	LC	herb	asteraceae
dog's mercury	Mercurialis perennis	LC	herb	euphorbiaceae
lousewort	Pedicularis sylvatica	NT	herb	orobanchaceae
common valerian	Valeriana officinalis	LC	herb	caprifoliaceae
broom fork moss	Dicranum scoparium	LC	moss	dicranales
bank haircap	Polytrichum formosum	LC	moss	polytrichales
great wood rush	Luzula sylvatica	LC	rush	juncaceae
dogwood	Cornus sanguinea	LC	shrub	cornaceae
spindle tree	Euonymus europaeus	LC	shrub	celastraceae
buckthorn	Rhamnus cathartica	LC	shrub	rhamnaceae
hazel	Corylus avellana	LC	tree	corylaceae
ash	Fraxinus excelsior	LC	tree	oleaceae
holly	Ilex aquifolium	LC	tree	aquifoliaceae
common oak	Quercus robur	LC	tree	fagaceae
whitebeams	Sorbus aria	CR	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.

Species	Status	Via host-plant
Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon	Endangered	Brachypodium sylvaticum
Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta	Endangered	Quercus robur
The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia	Endangered	Rhamnus cathartica
Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens	Endangered	Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx	Vulnerable	Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium
Grayling Hipparchia semele	Vulnerable	Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina
The lackey Malacosoma neustria	Vulnerable	Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria	Vulnerable	Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Rhamnus cathartica
Morris's wainscot Photedes morrisii	Vulnerable	Schedonorus arundinaceus
Silver studded blue Plebejus argus	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Quercus spp.
Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi	Vulnerable	Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria	Vulnerable	Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola	Near Threatened	Quercus spp.
Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa	Near Threatened	Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa	Near Threatened	Quercus robur
Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp., 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	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
Silky wave Idaea dilutaria	Near Threatened	Helianthemum nummularium
Wall Lasiommata megera	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp., 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

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 11 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Ilex aquifolium, Mercurialis perennis, Quercus robur, Rhamnus cathartica, Sorbus aria

Show 81 indicator species

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dicranum scoparium, Festuca ovina, Luzula sylvatica, Valeriana officinalis

Show 107 indicator species

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis

Show 49 indicator species

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