Ecological surveys identified that a group of 11 woodlands in north Buckinghamshire are of national importance in supporting the northmost maternity colonies of Bechstein’s bat known to occur in England.
In response Natural England is considering designating these and an additional area of grassland as a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI). To inform this process the areas were visited in 2019 to identify the vegetation communities present and to map their extent using the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) system.
The surveys identified several woodland habitat types as being present with variations of ash – field maple – dog’s mercury woodland being the most widespread (NVC types W8a, W8b and W8c) and parts have a close fit with oak – bracken – bramble woodland (NVC types W10a and W10b). This is likely to reflect slight variations in soil type and soil chemistry.
Two meadows are present supporting grassland with a close fit with the nationally rare meadow foxtail – greater burnet type (NVC type MG4). The surveys provide strong evidence that these areas should be designated as SSSI on the basis of the woodland and grassland vegetation present, in addition to the importance for Bechstein’s bat.