Amberley Mount to Sullington Hill

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.9019, -0.5063

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (8) Unfavourable Declining (1) Favourable (5)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (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

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

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
Adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus VU butterfly lycaenidae
meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum 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
squinancywort Asperula cynanchica VU herb rubiaceae
yellowwort Blackstonia perfoliata LC herb gentianaceae
clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata VU herb campanulaceae
frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis VU herb orchidaceae
autumn gentian Gentianella amarella LC herb gentianaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
musk orchid Herminium monorchis EN herb orchidaceae
horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa VU herb fabaceae
fly homeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum Not listed in GB list herb carophyllaceae
bee orchid Ophrys apifera LC herb orchidaceae
round headed rampion Phyteuma orbiculare LC herb campanulaceae
light feathered rustic Agrotis cinerea Not listed in GB list moth noctuidae
juniper carpet Thera juniperata Not listed in GB list moth geometridae
dogwood Cornus sanguinea LC shrub cornaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
juniper Juniperus communis CR shrub cupressaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana LC shrub caprifoliaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae

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
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

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 3 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Dactylis glomerata, Ulex europaeus

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 2 species from the description above: Dactylorhiza viridis, Festuca ovina

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