Important Features of Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
The important features of Little Wittenham Nature Reserve
The features are ranked in order of priority. All designated features are of primary importance. Given the SAC status the population of Great Crested Newts must be seen as the overriding concern.
Features within the same group are considered to be at the same level of priority.
Designated Features
- Population of Great Crested Newts - The reserve's SAC (Special Area of Conservation) designation is entirely based on the presence of a large and well-researched population of Great Crested Newts. Additional features cited in the SSSI designation are:
- A good assemblage of other breeding breeding Amphibians
- A good assemblage of breeding Dragonflies and Damselflies
- Castle Hill Iron Age hill fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM)
Non-Designated Features (each of equal priority)
Woodland: The main value of the woodland lies in the provision of habitat for amphibians and many uncommon or declining invertebrate species.. It is also valuable as habitat for more common or less protected species, such as birds and mammals. There is also some value to the woodland habitat itself, given its relatively large size and age of origin.
Grassland, Scrub and Hedgerows: Most of the reserve's grasslands have been semi-improved and are generally botanically poor. The main importance of the reserve's grasslands therefore lies in the dynamic mosaics of short botanically-richer grassland within rough grassland and patches of scrub. This provides a wide range of habitats suitable for nectar foraging invertebrates, such as butterflies, and a wide array of other invertebrates, and small mammals that require structural diversity. Patches of scrub and hedgerows (mainly recently planted) support declining breeding birds including Yellowhammer.
Wetland and open-water habitats: Although affected by artificial drainage the reserve's surviving wetland features, such as the two woodland ponds and the 'flushed' areas, continue to be of high conservation value. In addition to Amphibians and Dragonflies, this interest includes a wide range of characteristic and uncommon invertebrates. The extent and diversity of wetland habitats across the reserve has recently been increased through the creation of new ponds and temporary pools. There is further potential for continuing this restoration work.
Calcareous flushes: Since they rely on natural processes, calcareous flushes cannot be artificially created. Thus the importance of the reserve's calcareous flushes lies both in their widespread occurrence across the site and in the rarity of their associated invertebrates communities, such as soldier flies.
Bats: It is apparent that many bat species in Britain have experienced declines in recent decades. All species are protected under law and are included within the UK BAP process. Six species of bat are known to utilise the reserve and Little Wittenham Wood provides suitable roosting sites and feeding areas for bats.
Loddon Lily: Native Loddon Lily (Leucojum aestivum ssp. aestivum) is nationally rare. Locally it is not uncommon in the Thames Valley and forms a part of local folklore and tradition. The reserve supports a substantial colony of Loddon Lily and there is also good potential for expansion of the existing population elsewhere on the reserve.
Greater Dodder: The Thames Valley was a stronghold for the nationally scarce Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaea). It is now much declined and in the last decade it has virtually disappeared from the reserve.
Landscape: The Wittenham Clumps are an important landmark in the Thames valley and form an important part of local people's sense of attachment to their landscape and environment. Due to the advanced age of the original planted Beech the future of this unique landscape feature is precarious and its long-term survival needs to be carefully considered. An Historic Landscape Survey and Restoration Management Plan, based on the development on the local landscape since 1600, is currently being prepared for the reserve.
Access: The reserve provides an important local open space and attracts a large number of visitors each year. It is important to provide access for all without adversely affecting the wildlife or landscape value of the reserve. To this end, there is on-going work to improve access to all appropriate areas.
Interpretation: Interpretation of the reserve's features is essential to provide public understanding and enjoyment of the site and, in a wider context, to foster feelings of care for our environment, landscape and heritage in general. There are guided and self-guided walks covering a variety of subjects and various panels at the reserve's entrances give information about the site. There is on-going work to update and improve site interpretation.
Education: Much of the reserve is quite robust and suitable for educational use. This provides a valuable opportunity for education, which does not adversely affect any of the conservation features. The site is used every weekday during school term time by school groups of all ages.
