APPENDIX VI
GLOUCESTERSHIRE TRUST FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
Provisional Advisory Repoit on Stinchconibe Hill Dursley,
Glos.
Stinchcombe Hill consists of a promontory of the Cotswold
escarpment containing grassland of considerable botanical and
entomological interest. The scientific importance of the area is
indicated in its designation as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest by the Nature Conservancy Council.
The purpose of this report is to indicate the main features of
scientific interest and to provide advice on management for nature
Conservation. The report is concerned only with those areas
administered and managed by the Trustees of Stinchcombe Hill as an
open space away from the Golf Course. The major habitat of interest
is the relatively open limestone grassland, especially the south to
west facing slopes i.e. those slopes receiving maximum sunshine and
warmth on well-drained shallow soils. The best areas of such
grassland are shown on the attached Plan: Although each slope shows
important ecological differences the flora contains a number of
species highly characteristic of oolitic limestone grassland. The
predominant grasses include Tor Grass, Chalk False Brome, Sheeps
Fescue and Quaking Grass; the broad-leaved herbs include such
species as Rock Rose, Wild Thyme, Cowslip, Cathartic Flax, Salad
Burnet, Nonse-ear Hawkweed, Wild Basil, Kidney Vetch, Horseshoe
Vetch, Common Milkwort, Lesser Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Small
Scabious and Carline Thistle. Several species of orchids also occur
and are characteristic - these include Bee Orchid, Spotted Orchid,
Twayblade, Large White Helleborine and Broad Helleborine. The
vetches are of particular importance as they provide the essential
larval food plants for certain butterflies, notably the Chalkhill
Blue and Small Blue, both of' which are known to be declining in
the county (See J. Muggleton's report). A considerable variety of
other butterfly species are also found at Stinchcombe Hill,
including local species such as the Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled
White, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Grayling and Grizzled
Skipper. A full list is appended. Most of these butterflies are
dependant upon the maintenance of a grassland habitat containing
the correct larval food plants.
In the absence of grazing (except by rabbits) the grassland areas
have been invaded to a varying extent by Hawthorn, Blackthorn,
Hazel, Wild Rose, Bramble, Wayfaring Tree, l4hitebeam, Birch, Ash,
Holm Oak and Beech. In general, one would expect the colonization
of the grassland by trees and shrubs to proceed until a woodland
climax vegetation is reached. Some of the steeper slopes may be
almost self- maintaining as grassland due to unstable surface
conditions, very shallow depth of soil and extreme dryness, but in
the long term the coarse grasses will tend to become increasingly
dominant leading to a change in the floristic composition. There
are several well-established blocks of scrub and woodland which now
form an important habitat for small mammals and certain buds,
especially warblers such as the Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and
Blackcap, depending on the stage of colonization reached. Typical
woodland species of birds also occur while Tree Pipits, Meadow
Pipits and Skylarks breed in the more open grassland
habitats.
Recommendations
It is strongly recommended that the remaining areas of relatively
open grassland with short turf be conserved for their botanical and
entomological interest. This is best achieved by grazing, mowing or
burning with vigorous control of invading scrub by cutting (with
herbicide treatment to prevent regrowth of the stumps) and/or
uprooting. Well established blocks of scrub should be retained as a
habitat where visual or amenity considerations are not important.
The control of coarse grasses and scrub by cutting or mowing (where
practicable) is preferred to control by burning. Burning is
generally considered harmful to invertebrates and may, in addition,
encourage the spread of species such as Tor Grass, Rosebay and Hemp
Agrimony. Burning should only be carried out in selected areas
under carefully controlled conditions, using firebreaks, in
January- February to minimise damage - fires outside this period
can have disastrous effects on both flora and fauna. Where burning
is considered necessary a three year rotation is advised in order
to allow re-colonization of species from surviving habitats.
C.R. Cuthbert
February 1977