Park Gate Down

Infobox SSSI


name=Park Gate Down
aos=Kent
interest=Biological
gridref=gbmappingsmall|TR168459
area=7.05 hectares
notifydate=1968

http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?
] Park Gate Down is a stretch of chalk downland near Elham in East Kent. The site is owned and managed as a nature reserve by the Kent Wildlife Trust and is also listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). On 21st May 2007 the reserve was renamed The Hector Wilks Reserve in memory of this local botanist who had been involved with the reserve from its inception.

Topography

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Ecology

Flora

The dominant chalk grassland community at Park Gate Down is CG4 "Brachypodium pinnatum" [citeweb |url=http://www.jncc.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0030338 |title=Parkgate Down |publisher=JNCC ] . However, fine, less vigorous grasses are also common such as Sheep's Fescue ("Festuca ovina"). The reserve supports a rich flora including many calcicoles such as Common Milkwort ("Polygala vulgaris"), Small Scabious ("Scabiosa columbaria") and Marjoram ("Origanum vulgare"). Notable species include Slender Bedstraw ("Galium pumilum"), Adder's Tongue ("Ophioglossum"), Horseshoe Vetch ("Hippocrepis comosa") and Columbine ("Aquilegia vulgaris"). ("Herminium monorchis") of which 72 were counted in 2007 [citeweb |url=http://www.elham.co.uk/Elham/Community/Noticeboard/elham_valley_notice_board.htm|title=Elham Valley Notice Board] .

Fauna

The chalk downland provides an important habitat for insects. Many butterflies thrive at the reserve including the Chalkhill Blue ("Polyommatus coridon"), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) and Marbled White ("Melanargia galathea"). The woodland and scrub within and surrounding the reserve attract many feeding and breeding birds including the Nightingale ("Luscinia megarhynchos"), Green Woodpecker ("Picus viridis"), Great Spotted Woodpecker ("Dendrocopos major"), Yellowhammer ("Emberiza citrinella"), Linnet ("Carduelis cannabina"), Whitethroat ("Sylvia communis"), Garden Warbler ("Sylvia borin"), Hawfinch ("Coccothraustes coccothraustes"), Sparrowhawk ("Accipiter nisus") and Hobby ("Falco subbuteo").

Management and access

The reserve is divided into three compartments by wire fences. The chalk grassland is maintained through annual grazing by Highland cattle and Konik ponies from September to December and scrub cutting in winter. This prevents tall and vigorous species from dominating, thus creating the species rich grassland characteristic of chalk downland. The woodland is regularly coppiced to provide a range of habitats for insects and birds.

There is road side parking opposite the entrance on the south of the reserve. Although access is unrestricted, visitors are encouraged to keep to the paths to avoid damage to the wild flowers.

External links

* [http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=59 Kent Wildlife Trust]
* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000359 Natural England]

References