Wildlife spectacle in Oxfordshire

1 September 2010

The Chiltern gentian is found on chalk grassland with its stronghold in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the home of Aston Rowant NNR. This beautiful purple-flowering plant ranges between seven and 35cm tall, is usually biennial and flowers from August to October. They are unpalatable to most mammals and are therefore left untouched by sheep, deer and rabbits which graze the reserve, creating the ideal habitat for the gentians.

Jenny Crook, Natural England’s education specialist says: “Anyone with an interest in nature should come and see the wonderful display here at Aston Rowant NNR. The plants are concentrated in the South of the NNR where parking is available at Cowleaze Wood car park opposite the reserve just off the Christmas Common Road.”

“From Cowleaze Wood car park, cross the road and make your way across a grassy field to a small hand gate on the left, go through the gate and follow the path along to the right. There are lots of gentians just off the path where the grassland opens out. If you have trouble finding them, call the reserve office on 01844 351833”

Populations of Chiltern gentians fluctuate from year to year and show large variations in numbers. This month, the rare plants are thriving at the NNR so now is a great time to get out and see them. This month several other species of characteristic chalk grassland plants will be in flower including harebell, eye bright, small scabious and wild marjoram.

ENDS

For further information or photographs, please contact Antony Hart from Natural England’s South East Advocacy and Partnerships Team on 07900 608196 email: antony.hart@naturalengland.org.uk. For more information on visiting the NNR, contact the reserve office on 01844 351833.

Notes to Editors

1. Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public:

• We establish and care for England’s main wildlife sites, ensuring that over 3,500 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.

• We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.

• We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.

• We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats. We have recently committed £6m to develop wetland areas and have detailed biodiversity action plans covering 75% of England’s species

• We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.

2. The Chiltern Gentian is similar to the more vigorous Autumn Gentian, but with brighter purple petals and larger leaves (photographs available).

3. Aston Rowant NNR is renowned as one of the best places in the country to see Red Kites and for its range of characteristic chalk downland species including the Chalkhill Blue, Dark Green Fritillary and Silver Spotted Skipper butterflies, as well as botanical gems such as the frog orchid, wild candytuft, violet helliborine and of course the Chiltern Gentian. 4. National Nature Reserves give the public a chance to experience at first hand a wide variety of wildlife. Those designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) by Natural England, are internationally significant and safeguarded under European law. 5. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1965, covers 833 sq kms (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, and has a resident population of 80,000.

4. National Nature Reserves give the public a chance to experience at first hand a wide variety of wildlife. Those designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) by Natural England, are internationally significant and safeguarded under European law.

5. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1965, covers 833 sq kms (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, and has a resident population of 80,000.

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