Amberley Mount to Sullington Hill
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TQ039117 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 17.27 | 2009-06-02 |
| TQ040115 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 17.27 | 2009-06-02 |
| TQ040124 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 6.62 | 2020-08-11 |
| TQ044126 | — | Favourable | 20.21 | 2009-05-18 |
| TQ045119 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 35.55 | 2019-08-19 |
| TQ047128 | — | Favourable | 7.93 | 2009-05-18 |
| TQ048116 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 17.27 | 2009-06-02 |
| TQ053127 | — | Favourable | 14.91 | 2014-08-15 |
| TQ057128 | — | Favourable | 4.89 | 2009-05-18 |
| TQ060127 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 12.25 | 2014-08-15 |
| TQ066126 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 11.54 | 2010-03-19 |
| TQ069127 | — | Favourable | 13.37 | 2010-03-19 |
| TQ086125 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 32.62 | 2019-08-08 |
| TQ095124 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 11.54 | 2010-03-19 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Area, 181.2 ha. 447.7 ac. Description This site contains some of the richest chalk grassland in Sussex on the scarp slope of the South Downs and in two south west facing coombes. It also includes the rare juniper scrub habitat and is the locality of several nationally restricted invertebrates, lepidoptera butterflies and moths and mollusca snails. Species rich chalk grassland maintained by grazing occupies much of the site. Grasses such as sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina, upright brome Bromus erectus and meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis dominate a sward which contains many typical chalk herbs including yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella and clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata. A number of less common species are found including round headed rampion Phyteuma orbiculare, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, musk orchid Herminium monorchis and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. In places the sward is less diverse, being dominated by rank grasses such as cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata and tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and improved grassland occupies the valley bottoms. Scrub is established in many places, usually of hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana with gorse Ulex europaeus where the soil is slightly more acid. However juniper Juniperus communis, a species which is becoming increasingly rare, is scattered throughout the site and forms an important component of the scrub in the south western valleys and the eastern outlier. Mature broadleaved woodland with ash Fraxinus excelsior, beech Fagus sylvatica and field maple Acer campestre occupies the foot of the scarp slope. The ground flora is locally rich and the shrub layer contains one of the largest remaining colonies of the rare fly honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum, a species confined to Sussex. The species rich downland and scrub in turn supports a rich assemblage of butterflies and moths. These include the rare Adonis blue butterfly Polyommatus bellargus which feeds on horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa in its larval stages. Chantry Hill is the foremost district in Sussex for the light feathered rustic moth Agrotis cinerea and the juniper carpetmoth Thera juniperata has also been recorded.
Species mentioned
Show the 27 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Viburnum lantana |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Hippocrepis comosa |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Cornus sanguinea, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium, Hippocrepis comosa, Ulex spp. |
| Lead belle Scotopteryx mucronata |
Vulnerable | Ulex europaeus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Large nutmeg Apamea anceps |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina |
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 8 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Cornus sanguinea, Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Juniperus communis, Viburnum lantana
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera 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 3 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Dactylis glomerata, Ulex europaeus
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera 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 2 species from the description above: Dactylorhiza viridis, Festuca ovina
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix 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