Habitats Programme
Habitat management issues
As preparation for this Scheme, a desk based study and detailed ecological field surveys of the individual hillforts and nearby sites of ecological interest have been carried out by specialist ecological consultants. The relatively isolated nature of the hillfort areas and the thin acidic soils has helped the native flora and fauna to survive in these areas and thus they are important environmental areas worthy of improved ecological management.
Semi-natural woodland dominates the north and west sides of the hill and there is unimproved grassland on the top of the hillfort and on parts of the upper slopes where the soil is thin. Much of this grassland is invaded by bracken and scrub. There is a species rich hedgerow along the southern boundary of the hillfort. The meadows at Harmers Lake Farm are under Countryside Stewardship and native acid grassland species are returning.
The main management aims are to reduce the levels of grazing, reduce the fertiliser applications especially along the field margins, remove bracken and control the bramble and to retain the valuable hedge along the sunken path.
The centre of the hillfort is managed as a transitional birch woodland undergoing gradual succession to lowland acid oak woodland. The area around the fort is a mosaic of grazed heath with woodland. Large areas are dominated by a bracken or rhododendron under-storey and the remnants of heathland flora are being shaded out.
The main aim of future management is to restore the heathland through the removal of bracken and rhododendron, the thinning out of young trees and encouraging the expansion of the remaining lowland heath.
A large part of the fort is improved grassland, traditionally grazed by cattle. The eastern slopes and parts of the northern slopes are unimproved acid grassland where sheep were traditionally over-wintered. The arable field in the centre of the hillfort has a deep fertile soil and is therefore cultivated. Large areas to the south of the hillfort are no longer grazed and there has been a spread of scrub and young trees around Merrick’s Hill. The eastern slopes are being changed by the introduction of planted wildflowers. Invasive non-local species are beginning to colonise.
The main aim of ecological management is to reinstate grazing of the western enclosure and southern rampart, halt the colonisation of land to the east by gorse and restrict the planting of wildflowers on the eastern slopes. The repair of old hedgerows would also be beneficial.
A large area of pasture covers the east and west enclosures and the rampart, an area of unimproved acid grassland occupies the southern scarp (good for insects and butterflies), whilst the east scarp is semi-natural woodland with beech dominating in parts. Small areas of mixed woodland occur on the top of rocky crags on the west side of the fort. The western scarp provides the best opportunity for habitat restoration.
Ecological management should aim to control scrub along the southern scarp, control invasive arable weeds such as broadleaved dock and creeping thistle, reinstate hedgerows, control Himalayan balsam and control the further spread of bracken.
Beeston
The site is dominated by semi-natural broadleaf and conifer woodland established on areas that were probably once grazed acid heath and grassland. An area of broadleaved woodland was planted on the lower slopes some 200 years ago, with a further conifer plantation on the upper slopes some 150 years ago. There are small areas where the original grass and heath vegetation are evident. There is interest in the flora of the old walls. The many paths are a cause for some concern causing disturbance to wildlife and some erosion.
Management should concentrate on creating more open areas in the woodland, controlling the spread of bracken, and maintaining the flight lines for the bats that roost in the entrance buildings. The visitor management requires a rationalisation of the paths.
The hillfort area has substantial dry heath and acid grassland with much invasion of bracken and scrub. The site is part of the Bickerton Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In October 2005 the conservation status of the site was assessed as “Unfavourable Recovering”. The ecological survey has found at least 50 different plant species and at least 1 Cheshire rarity.
Site management is aimed at restoring the heath by the removal of trees and shrubs and the maintenance of low levels of grazing.
Eddisbury Walling & Woodland Management at Roughlow, Kelsall
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