Haugh Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest[1][2] near Woolhope in Herefordshire, England. The protected area is recognised for its diversity of its insects. The Forestry Commission has provided waymarked butterfly trails in this protected area.[3]

Haugh Wood
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Haugh Wood is located in Herefordshire
Haugh Wood
Location within Herefordshire
LocationHerefordshire
Grid referenceSO591367
Coordinates52°01′38″N 2°35′51″W / 52.027195°N 2.5975288°W / 52.027195; -2.5975288
Area846.3 acres (3.425 km2; 1.322 sq mi)
Notification1989

This protected area includes two previously notified Sites of Special Scientific Interest called Rudge End Quarry and Pentaloe Glen.

Biology

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Most of Haugh wood has been converted to forestry plantation. The notable insect diversity is associated with the patches that contain sessile oak and silver birch.[1]

Butterflies include high brown fritillary, wood white, pearl bordered fritillary and white letter hairstreak. Moth species include lunar hornet clearwing, drab looper, triple spotted pug and barred hook-tip. The bee Osmia pilicornis has also been recorded at this site.[1]

Herbaceous plants in this protected area include herb-Paris, greater butterfly orchid, marsh helleborine, common twayblade, fragrant orchid and yellow-wort.[1]

Mammal species in this protected area include fallow deer, badger, dormouse and pole cat.[1]

Bird species include sparrowhawk, tawny owl, woodcock, nightingale and lesser spotted woodpecker.[1]

Geology

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Haugh Wood is positioned on top of Woolhope Dome, which is composed of alternating beds of limestones and shales formed during the Silurian period.[1]

Land ownership and management

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Most of the land within Haugh Wood SSSI is owned by the Forestry Commission.[4] Haugh Wood SSSI also includes land owned by the National Trust who refer to this site as Poors Acre.[5]

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have a management role for some of this protected area, particularly in the sections known as Pentaloe Glen[6] and Rudge End Quarry.[7] Herefordshire Wildlife Trust also purchased land in 2020 to form Common Hill reserve.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "SSSI detail". designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ "Protected Planet | Haugh Wood". Protected Planet. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  3. ^ "Haugh Woods | Visit Herefordshire". www.visitherefordshire.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  4. ^ "Mapping the habitats of England's ten largest institutional landowners". Who owns England?. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  5. ^ "Poors Acre | Herefordshire". National Trust. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ "Pentaloe Glen & Convallaria Area | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust". www.herefordshirewt.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. ^ "Rudge End Quarry | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust". www.herefordshirewt.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  8. ^ "Common Hill | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust". www.herefordshirewt.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.