Walmore Common
51°50′01″N 2°22′15″W / 51.833476°N 2.370743°W / 51.833476; -2.370743
Designations | |
---|---|
Ramsar Wetland | |
Official name | Walmore Common |
Designated | 5 December 1991 |
Reference no. | 538[1] |
Walmore Common (grid reference SO740162 & grid reference SO745150) is a 57.78-hectare (142.8-acre) nature reserve on the flood-plain of the River Severn, west of the city of Gloucester in England and north of the village of Chaxhill. It was notified as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1966.[2][3] The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).[4]
The common is recognised as a wetland area of international importance and is designated as a Ramsar site.[5][6] The common is recognised as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Directive on the conservation of Wild Birds.[7][8]
Location and habitat
The site is in the Severn Vale and is subject to annual winter flooding. It is low-lying and comprises two sections. It overlies the only cited significant area of peat in Gloucestershire. It is a wetland site of local botanical and ornithological importance. The habitats are unimproved and improved neutral grassland, marshy grassland and open water ditches/rhynes.[2]
Flora
The eastern part of the designated area is dominated by wavy hair grass, marsh foxtail and creeping bent. The improved grassland is dominated by perennial rye grass, creeping bent and Timothy. The northern section is mostly marshy and comprises rush and sedge species. The marshes also support bog pimpernel and ragged robin. The ditches are significant as they are examples of a disappearing habitat. A wide range of wetland plants flourish with a large population of flote grass and several pondweeds. There are rarities including tubular water dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa).[2]
Winter feeding
Its significance is as a winter feeding and roosting area for wildfowl. This includes Bewick's swans, wigeon, gadwall and shoveller.[2]
References
- ^ "Walmore Common". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Natural England SSSI information on citation, map and unit detail
- ^ Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- ^ Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Key Wildlife Sites
- ^ Information on Walmore Common Ramsar site designation
- ^ Joint Nature Conservation Committee Listing of Ramsars
- ^ Information on Severn Estuary Special Protection Area designation
- ^ Joint Nature Conservation Committee Listing of Special Protection Areas
SSSI Source
- Natural England SSSI information on the citation
- Natural England SSSI information on the Walmore Common units
External links
- Natural England (SSSI information)
- Site description from the UK SPA Network
- Map sources for Walmore Common
- Directory entry for www.wetlands.org
- v
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- Ashleworth Ham
- Astridge Wood
- Badgeworth
- Barnsley Warren
- Barton Bushes
- Bigsweir Woods
- Blaisdon Hall
- Bourton Down
- Box Farm Meadows
- Boxwell
- Brassey
- Brooks Head Grove
- Buckshraft Mine & Bradley Railway Tunnel
- Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill
- Bushley Muzzard, Brimpsfield
- Caerwood and Ashberry Goose House
- Chaceley Meadow
- Clarke's Pool Meadow
- Cleeve Common
- Cockleford Marsh
- Collinpark Wood
- Coombe Hill Canal
- Coombe Hill
- Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods
- Cotswold Water Park
- Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake
- Daneway Banks
- Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar
- Devil's Chapel Scowles
- Dingle Wood
- Dixton Wood
- Dymock Woods
- Edge Common
- Elmlea Meadows
- Frampton Pools
- Highbury Wood
- Hobbs Quarry
- Hornsleasow Roughs
- Hucclecote Meadows
- Innsworth Meadow
- Juniper Hill, Edgeworth
- Kempley Daffodil Meadow
- Kingscote and Horsley Woods
- Lark Wood
- Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common
- Lineover Wood
- Lower Woods
- Lower Wye Gorge
- May Hill
- Midger
- Minchinhampton Common
- Nagshead
- Old Bow and Old Ham Mines
- Old River Severn, Upper Lode
- Pennsylvania Fields, Sedbury
- Poor's Allotment
- Puckham Woods
- Range Farm Fields
- River Wye
- Rodborough Common
- Rough Bank, Miserden
- Salmonsbury Meadows
- Selsley Common
- Severn Estuary
- Severn Ham, Tewkesbury
- Shorn Cliff and Caswell Woods
- Slade Brook
- Soudley Ponds
- Speech House Oaks
- Stenders Quarry
- Stinchcombe Hill
- Strawberry Banks
- Swanpool Wood and Furnace Grove
- Swift's Hill
- Sylvan House Barn
- The Hudnalls
- The Malvern Hills
- Tudor Farm Bank
- Turvey's Piece
- Upper Severn Estuary
- Upham Meadow and Summer Leasow
- Upper Wye Gorge
- Walmore Common
- Westbury Brook Ironstone Mine
- Whelford Meadow
- Wigpool Ironstone Mine
- Wildmoorway Meadows
- Winson Meadows
- Woodchester Park
- Workman's Wood
- Wotton Hill
- Yarley Meadows
- Neighbouring areas
- Avon
- Herefordshire
- Oxfordshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire