One of four worked-out chalk pits on the eastern edge of the Colne Valley, Summerhouse Lane Chalk Pit contains a good range of high quality wildlife habitats. These include flower-rich grassland, ash woodland and the Grand Union Canal. There is also a small copse and a hedgerow at the northern boundary, dominated by large field maples.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
East Colne Valley Chalk Pits - Summerhouse Lane Chalk Pit
Borough: Hillingdon
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: No public access
Area: 12.12 ha
Description
Wildlife
The grassland is dominated by red fescue, burnet saxifrage, fairy flax and common restharrow, and supports a high diversity of insects. Hemp-agrimony and red bartsia occur in the short thick grass near the base of the chalk cliff. Water mint and marsh thistle occur by the canal, together with unbranched bur-reed and arrowhead. The woodland ground flora includes bluebell, stinking Iris and woodruff. The woodland is also valuable for birds and mammals. The long-winged conehead, a bush-cricket which is scarce in London, is present in the grassland.Facilities
No information available
Long-winged conehead © Mike Waite
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