Lazy Hill and adjoining land
Description
This site comprises of a small wood, and adjoining acid grassland regenerating hawthorn, elder and gorse scrub and old relict boundary hedgerows. A number of uncommon plants have been recorded here including early purple orchid and wood and great horsetail, both of which occur in abundance. The large size of the site and the amount of scrub available make the area particularly valuable to birds, many species of which have been recorded. The site is especially important for willow tit, redpoll and warblers.
Management Recommendations
Control of hawthorn and elder scrub where invasion is occurring, leaving oak and gorse. Gorse is favoured by yellow hammers.
- Monitor and control bracken distribution if it is found to be spreading.
- Hedges should be repaired and maintained by planting up using plants from invading scrub where necessary.
- The former brook can be cleared and a pond excavated where swamp is found in the north-west of the site.
- Areas of neutral grassland can be improved by a programme of mowing.