Walton and Ivythorn Hills

Infobox SSSI


name=Walton and Ivythorn Hills
aos=Somerset
interest=Biological
gridref=gbmappingsmall|ST475346
area=34.9 hectare (86.1 acre)
notifydate=1953

http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?
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Walton and Ivythorn Hills (gbmapping|ST475346) is a 34.9 hectare (86.1 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Street at the south-eastern end of the Polden Hills in Somerset, notified in 1953.

This site is owned and managed by the National Trust.

Walton and Ivythorn Hills support a complex mosaic of semi-natural habitats which includes unimproved calcareous grassland, dense and scattered scrub and broadleaved woodland. Structural diversity within the habitats, together with the extensive areas of sheltered wood-edge and scrub-edge margins provide ideal conditions for many species of invertebrate. Butterflies, Leafhoppers, Spiders and Soldier Flies are particularly well represented. The Great Green Bush Cricket("Tettigonia viridissima") is also of interest. [cite web | title=Walton and Ivythorn Hills | work=English Nature | url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001144.pdf | accessdate=2006-08-21]

There is some evidence of the remains of ancient earthworks on Walton Hill.

References