Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves

Last updated January 07, 2024

Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves are a group of nature reserves totalling 101 hectares near Danbury in Essex, England. They are managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, and most of them are in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).^[1] Two areas, the Backwarden and Hitchcock's Meadow, are part of Danbury Common SSSI,^[2]^[3] and Woodham Walter Common, Birch Wood, Pheasanthouse Wood, Poors Piece, Scrubs Wood, and a small area in Pheasanthouse Farm, are part of Woodham Walter Common SSSI.^[4]^[5]

Woodham Walter Common is woodland on gravel upland sloping down to streams on both sides. Birch Wood is hornbeam coppice, with ground flora including wood anemones and wood spurges. Pheasanthouse Wood is mixed woodland, with a bog area which has sphagnum moss. In Poors Piece there are oak pollards and a marsh area. Scrubs Wood is mainly hornbeam and chestnut coppice, while Backwarden, which is owned by the National Trust, has varied habitats including a pond, woodland and heathland. Hitchcock's Meadow also has diverse habitats such as flower-rich ancient pasture, woodland and marsh. Dormice are common in the reserves.^[1]

There is access to Woodham Walter Common from Common Lane.^[4]

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Woodham Walter Common SSSI is an 80-hectare (200-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Danbury in Essex. The site includes six nature reserves within the Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves, managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. These are Woodham Walter Common itself, Birch Wood, Pheasanthouse Wood, Poors' Piece, Scrubs Wood and a small area in Pheasanthouse Farm. The largest part of the SSSI is the 32.3-hectare (80-acre) Woodham Walter Common, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust on behalf of Maldon District Council and Woodham Walter Parish Council.

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Harlow Woods is a 47.1-hectare (116-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Harlow in Essex. It is composed of three woods, Hospital Wood Risden's Wood and Parndon Wood. They are owned and maintained by Harlow District Council, and they are part of the slightly larger Parndon Woods and Common Local Nature Reserve.

Hockley Woods is a large woodland in south-east Essex. It is a Local Nature Reserve, and parts are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is owned and managed by Rochford District Council.

References

1 2 "Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves". Essex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
↑ "Danbury Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
↑ "Map of Danbury Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
1 2 "Woodham Walter Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
↑ "Map of Woodham Walter Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

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[EWT-1] 1 2 "Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves". Essex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

[danbury-2] "Danbury Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.

[3] "Map of Danbury Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 December 2015.

[woodham-4] 1 2 "Woodham Walter Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

[5] "Map of Woodham Walter Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

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