Friends of Coppett Hill - Flora & Fauna of Coppett Hill

Coppett Hill has been studied, and sub-divided into several 'compartments' which vary in their characteristics - aspect, altitude, soils / geology. Each compartment has its own specific flora and fauna. For the purpose of this website, we will consider the Hill as a whole, and describe the range of species.

Coppett Hill's status as a nature reserve  recognises the diversity of flora and fauna existing there, which include species of national importance. We cannot guarantee that you will see these 'rare' species, but the study of the Diversity of Coppett Hill took place over several months in 2004, and established their existence. Many of the residents on and near the hill, still await their lucky first sighting! Some of the residents will not tell you where to look for them - we do not want rare species studied into extinction.

The Flora

In 2001and 2002, there was a systematic study of the flora, carried out by the Herefordshire Botanical Society. Their report identified 335 vascular plant species. In addition a brief study of the woods to the north east of the site by the Herefordshire Bryophyte Group identified 88 different mosses and liverworts.

Trees

There are few veteran trees, the area having been managed over many centuries to provide both timber to the owners and firewood to those living on the common.

There are specimens of Small Leaved Lime, Wild Service Tree  and Whitebeam, the ancient woodland marker trees, on the top of the escarpment on the west face of the Hill, but these species do not survive in the main wooded areas.

There are areas of overgrown hazel coppice and in one area (above the lime kilns) this has been fenced and brought back into a proper managed 7 year coppice cycle. The density of deer on the common prevents unfenced coppice to be managed successfully.

The woods are managed under the Woodland Grant Scheme. The conifer plantation at the far south of the common will be progressively replaced by broadleaved trees over the next ten or twenty years.

Ground Flora

The different soil types and mix of woodland and open countryside, leads to the wide range of flora found on the site.

The alkaline soils of the north east an southern areas of the common support a range of orchids including the White Helleborine, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid  and Twayblade.

In addition in the woodland in the north east there are specimens of the Birdsnest Orchid, Toothwort and Herb Paris.

Another plant that is widespread on the alkaline soil is the Meadow Saffron with its light purple flowers. These unusual plants produces flowers without leaves in the autumn, giving them the name ‘Naked Ladies’; the leaves and seed pod appear in the Spring.

Within the woodland and many open areas on the west of the hill, there are bluebells in the spring, while the woods on the east support several fern varieties.

The open areas on the west of the hill are being managed to provide better grassland, while leaving most of the area covered in bracken. From July to September there are hare bells along the paths on the top of the hill where  sandy soil and conglomerate rocks also support heathers.

By the riverside, the area can become dominated by Himalayan Balsam – an unwelcome immigrant to the Wye Valley.

The Fauna

Animals

The animals that the visitor is most likely to come across are the Fallow Deer and the Grey Squirrel. There have also been occasional sightings of wild boar.

There are many badger sets spread across the whole area as well as known populations of foxes, wood and yellow-necked mice, bank voles, common shrews, stoats and weasels.

The dormouse population is currently being investigated and there is a nest box programme for dormice being set up in 2007. There have been confirmed sightings as well as the evidence of characteristically gnawed hazel nuts. Visitors are reminded that it is illegal to open dormouse boxes – this has to be done by licensed handlers.

Birds

The different habitats provide for a wide range of birds.

The open areas on the west provide nesting sites for, among others,  the yellowhammer, linnet, whitethroat, tree pipit and stonechat.

In the skies over the hill, the visitor is assured of seeing a buzzard and the peregrines which nest at Symonds Yat can frequently be seen flying over the common. Other birds of prey that are frequently seen are the kestrel, goshawk, sparrow hawk and hobby. There have been recent (2006) sightings of the red kite.

In the woods, there is a bird box scheme with 40 boxes attracting blue tits, coal tits and great tits. There are also long tailed tits, nuthatches, tree creepers and the greater spotted and green woodpeckers

Butterflies

The bracken habitat on the west of the hill supports colonies of both the endangered Pearl Bordered and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. The Coppett Hill Common Trust runs a conservation programme to provide habitat improvement as other local colonies have been lost in recent years. A third endangered species found on the woodland margins is the Wood White.

There are some lesser known or localised species such as the Large Skipper and Green Hairstreak on the open hillside on the west of the hill. The Grizzly Skipper was also present in 2006. The grassland in this area also supports the Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Small Heath

There are colonies of Marbled White in the area of the lime kilns and on the top of the hill and the Speckled Wood is found in large numbers in the wooded margins.

The Trust works with West Midlands Butterfly Conservation and the population of all species is monitored on a weekly basis during the flying season.

Reptiles

The Adder., Grass Snake, Common Lizard and Slowworm are present on the open areas of the hill.

The common has the reputation for having a high population of adders and visitors should be aware of the risk of a bite should they disturb adder if they go of the paths in the bracken covered areas. Medical assistance should always be sought.

Here are extracts from a survey report on a typical area of Coppett Hill:

·   Ground vegetation:

Reasonably diverse for the compartment as a whole, with over 70 species recorded during the course of this and previous surveys .  The Ashwood community (NVC W8) occupies richer soils, where ground vegetation is locally dominated by dog’s-mercury and ivy, occurring with nettle, bluebell, wood avens, enchanter’s-nightshade, herb-robert, violets, black bryony, Lords-and-Ladies, red campion and ferns (including hart’s-tongue, male fern, scaly male fern, soft shield fern, broad buckler fern, lady fern).  Stands of Lowland Mixed Broadleaved Woodland (NVC W10) are dominated by bracken, bramble and bluebell, occurring with ivy, wood sage, violets, nettle, honeysuckle, garlic mustard, figwort, three-veined sandwort and a similar range of ferns (additionally hard fern).  The craggy west-facing slope (recently exposed through thinning) is dominated by bramble, foxglove, willowherb and grasses (including wood meadow-grass, bent-grasses, creeping soft-grass, Yorkshire fog) with distinctive communities of navelwort and greater wood-rush.

Prominent conglomerate crags occur at two locations, the faces well-vegetated with navelwort, common polypody, other herbs, ferns, and mosses.

There are a good number of permanent glades thickly-vegetated with bracken, bramble, nettle, cleavers and willowherb, some additionally with climbing tangles of traveller’s-joy, hedge bindweed, wild hop, dog rose and white bryony.  

The woodland is crossed by a narrow footpath, some open sections lined with grasses and herbs, but mostly densely-shaded by the overhead canopy.

Plants of particular conservation interest include attractive site-rarities such as common Solomon’s-seal and leopard’s-bane, attractive displays of navelwort, and patches of wild hop (foodplant of the rare buttoned snout moth, recorded locally). 

 

·   Exotic shrubs and herbs:

Rare buddleja, Himalayan honeysuckle, rhododendron, snowberry and cherry laurel.  Some roadside winter heliotrope and rose-of-Sharon.

·   Fauna:

The woodland is likely to provide forage/roosting for a range of bat species, including the pipistrelle (of national importance) and the brown long-eared, Natterer’s and noctule bats (all of local importance).

There is a sizable local population of fallow deer and grey squirrel.  A good range of other mammals are thought to occur including the dormouse (of national importance), the polecat (of local importance), the fox, wood mouse, yellow-necked mouse, bank vole, common shrew, stoat and weasel.

The varied woodland, scrub and glade habitats are likely to provide nesting/feeding for a good diversity of birds including the bullfinch, song thrush and spotted flycatcher (all of national importance) and the locally rare hawfinch.  Species observed during survey include the buzzard, sparrowhawk, blackbird, yellowhammer, robin and various tits. 

There is a thriving invertebrate community associated with the varied glade and scrub habitats.  A good range of butterflies and moths have been observed during the course of this and previous surveys including the nationally scarce pearl-bordered fritillary and the locally-declining orange-tip.  Other species include the marbled white, meadow brown, green-veined white and speckled wood.

A range of reptiles are thought to occur including the locally important adder, the slow worm and the common lizard.

 

The report also recognises threats to the diversity:

Fragility:  Highly vulnerable to browsing and grazing (by deer/squirrels/rabbits), over-use of footpaths and spontaneous fire.

and,

Threats:

High fallow deer, grey squirrel and rabbit populations causing localised damage to trees and ground flora. Further invasion by non-native sycamore.  Spread of garden escapes deposited in green waste.  Potential loss of woodland through garden encroachment.  High risk of fire in upper reaches bordered by bracken.

The Friends of Coppett Hill and the Coppett Hill Trust together organise voluntary working parties to carry out 'maintenance tasks' on the hillside as recommended by the 2004 Report - see working parties.

FLORA link to lists of flora on Coppett Hill
FAUNA link to lists of fauna on Coppett Hill