Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

A series of arable fields with hedges and drains forming a network extending from Cranham Marsh. The hedges in the fields south of Cranham Mash are very diverse in woody species, including relatively unusual species such as aspen, dogwood, spindle, wild service-tree and a variety of willows. Hazel is unusually abundant and large field maple and pedunculate oak are common. Large rotting elm trunks remain at the base of some of the hedges, possibly supporting dead wood invertebrates. Some sections of drain are still filled with water during the summer and may be used by water vole. The fields support a moderately diverse arable weed flora with the nationally scarce grass loose silky-bent particularly abundant in the easternmost field. When leguminous crops are planted in these fields bean broomrape appears in large numbers. The fields support a moderately diverse arable weed flora with the nationally scarce grass loose silky-bent (Apera spica-venti) particularly abundant in the easternmost field. When leguminous crops are planted in these fields, bean broomrape (Orobanche crenata) appears in large numbers. This is the only place in the UK where this unusual alien plant is naturalised.

Facilities

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