Chalk and Trees - The Chilterns AONB

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The ancient woods of the Chilterns new survey has revealed the Chilterns has more ancient woodland than almost any other part of the Acountry. Two thirds of our local woods date back to the time of Elizabeth Ist or earlier. Woodland is officially classified as ancient if it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. This great age makes ancient woods irreplaceable: through the centuries a complex web of trees, plants and animals develops until the wood is a natural treasure trove, home to thousands of species dependent on each other. Ancient woodlands are the UK's equivalent of tropical rainforest. Ancient Woodland Survey The Chilterns Ancient Woodland Survey was carried out between 2010 and 2012 to get an accurate picture of the extent of this very important habitat across the AONB. Previous surveys had ignored woods of less than two hectares and did not have the accuracy of modern mapping techniques. “ The new survey has identified 11,058 hectares of ancient woodland in the Chilterns AONB, a net increase of 1,231 hectares over the previous figure. This means that ancient woodland covers 13% of the AONB and represents a hefty 61% of its total woodland cover. The Survey was commissioned by the Chilterns Conservation Board, the Forestry Commission and Natural England. John Morris of the Chiltern Woodlands Project surveyed many of the woods and is very pleased with the results: “We now have an up to date and comprehensive inventory of all our precious ancient woodland, no matter how small. Despite its importance surprisingly little is legally protected. This survey will help to make sure woods get the right management and are protected from being damaged or developed.” It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. Robert Louis Stevenson The signs of age How do you know you are in an ancient woodland? It is not always obvious, as some woods classified as ancient contain relatively young trees planted on a site that has been wooded for hundreds of years. However, there are some tell-tale signs. A real giveaway is carpets of bluebells in spring – these take hundreds of years to spread. Many other flowering plants are associated with ancient woodland, such as lily of the valley, violet helleborine and wild garlic. You can also spot evidence of the woods being used by people through the centuries, like boundary banks and the oval depressions of sawpits where Wild garlic trees were cut up. Another sign are the deep hollow-ways carved out by feet, hooves and cartwheels over the years. ” The Ancient Woodland Survey covered the Chilterns AONB and also included those parts of Dacorum, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe local authority areas outside the AONB. Funding was provided by these authorities as well as Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire County Councils. The full report on the Survey can be downloaded at www.chilternsaonb.org/ancient-woodland An ancient woodland near Great Hampden, Bucks 14 Chalk and Trees - Winter 2012
Frogs, bees and dukes nature reserve near Dunstable is home to some of the UK's rarest Aspecies of butterfly and orchid. Totternhoe Knolls is a chalky spur of the Chiltern Hills and is registered commonland. An area of it, known as Little Hills, is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Past records show that it was rich in species that thrive on chalk grassland but these have declined in recent years. The Wildlife Trust was keen to establish what species were still present in Little Hills before devising a new management plan for the site, and so last May volunteers and Trust staff began carrying out regular surveys. The Chilterns Commons Project provided funding for the volunteers to be trained in identifying butterfly and plant species. Home for rarities The results are very exciting. 11 species of butterfly were recorded, including Duke of Burgundy, small blue, grizzled skipper and dingy skipper, all of which are in serious decline in the UK. Five species of orchid were found: musk, frog and man orchids which are in decline nationally plus the more common bee and pyramidal orchids. It's clear that this is still one of the most important wildlife sites in the Chilterns and it is vital that it's carefully looked after to help these important species thrive. There is a good reason why Little Hills is full of butterflies and flowers and it's linked to the actions of people a long time ago. bee orchid (photo: Steve Chilton) Laura Downton, Wildlife Sites Officer at The Wildlife Trust, explains: “The chalk rock at Totternhoe is particularly durable and has been quarried through the ages to be used in buildings. You can see it in local churches and it was also used in the altar screen in Westminster Abbey. Little Hills is the remains of a medieval Totternhoe Stone quarry, and the hillocks and hollows that were left behind have gradually turned into an excellent habitat for chalk-loving plants and the butterflies that feed and breed on them.” The challenge in managing a site like Little Hills is pandering to the different requirements of the rare plants and animals found there. The Duke of Burgundy butterfly, for example, likes to lay its eggs on the leaves of cowslips growing in the dappled shade of light scrub. The small blue butterfly, on the other hand, prefers open, short, velvety grassland where its caterpillars feed on kidney vetch. Armed with the knowledge of what is in their care The Wildlife Trust can now plan the best ways to manage the site. The future for the orchids, butterflies and other species of Little Hills looks brighter, not least because the Trust has purchased some adjacent land which is being reverted from arable use to chalk grassland. In time it is hoped that wildlife from the reserve will colonise this new area. Duke of Burgundy butterfly (photo: Allen Beechey) i The motte at Totternhoe Knolls Demanding residents Find out more about the Totternhoe Knolls nature reserve at www.wildlifebcn.org Chalk and Trees - Winter 2012 15
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Page 5 and 6: Walking, Cycling and Events Natural
Page 7 and 8: Historic fort revealed in Wendover
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Chalk and Trees - The Chilterns AONB

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