Irish Hill Copse

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Irish Hill Copse
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Irish Hill Copse (1).jpg
Berkshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Berkshire
Location Berkshire
Grid reference SU 404 670 [1]
Coordinates 51°24′02″N1°25′09″W / 51.40059°N 1.41920°W / 51.40059; -1.41920 Coordinates: 51°24′02″N1°25′09″W / 51.40059°N 1.41920°W / 51.40059; -1.41920
InterestBiological
Area15.9 hectares (39 acres) [1]
Notification 1984 [1]
Location map Magic Map

Irish Hill Copse is a 15.9-hectare (39-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Kintbury in Berkshire. [1] [2]

This site of coppiced ancient woodland includes an extensive area of calcareous ash/wych elm coppice on the hill sides, merging into wet ash/maple and acid oak/ash/hazel woodland with aspen, on the higher parts of the site. The lower slopes are dominated by Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis), with abundant Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum), Twayblade and Early Purple Orchids (Listera ovata) and Orchis mascula and, locally, Wild Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus). [3]

The site is private land with no public access.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Irish Hill Copse". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. "Map of Irish Hill Copse". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. "Irish Hill Copse" (PDF). English Nature. Retrieved 24 September 2006.