Wormsley Chalk Banks

Coordinates: 51°38′17″N 0°55′26″W / 51.638°N 0.924°W / 51.638; -0.924
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wormsley Chalk Banks
Site of Special Scientific Interest
View of easternmost area and the neighbouring countryside
LocationBuckinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Grid referenceSU747926 SU751923
SU737932 SU728936
SU745938 SU736958
InterestBiological
Area14.1 hectares
Notification1989
Location mapMagic Map

Wormsley Chalk Banks are six separate areas which together are a 14.1-hectare (35-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Turville in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The site is in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[1][2]

The site has chalk grassland which is rich in both plant and invertebrate species which have sharply declined nationally. The areas vary, with the dominant grass being sheep's fescue in some, which have the greatest variety of plants, while others with deeper soils have coarser grasses such as upright brome and tall oat-grass. Flowers include bee and fly orchids, the latter of which have become more scarce. Invertebrates include a variety of butterflies, harvest spiders and slow-worms.[1]

Public footpaths cross several of the areas.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Wormsley Chalk Banks citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Map of Wormsley Chalk Banks". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

51°38′17″N 0°55′26″W / 51.638°N 0.924°W / 51.638; -0.924