This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100019229 2008.

Opportunity area description

The wooded north-western area of the Island from east of Yarmouth, through to Thorness Bay and Parkhurst Forest, and including the more open area around Newtown National Nature Reserve.

Joint Character Area/Landscape descriptive unit

Isle of Wight Joint Character Area: Northern woodlands, traditional enclosed pasture, harbours and creeks.

Landscape types

A well wooded landscape extending from Parkhurst Forest in the east, linked by hedgerows to the woodlands around the Newtown estuary the woodlands at Bouldnor. Also the lower parts of the river valleys of the Caulbourne, Newtown river, Clamerkin, Western Haven and Thorness. The land use is predominantly small fields down to pasture on heavy clays.

Geology (bedrock)

Hamstead beds, Bembridge Marls, Bembridge Limestone, Headon and Osborne Beds and partly extending on to the Bracklesham beds.

Geology (superficial)

Alluvium in the river valleys with some river terrace deposits in Parkhurst and Bouldnor Forests. Tidal flat deposits in Newtown Harbour.

Topography (landform)

Gently undulating landscape crossed by a series of small streams flowing south –north through shallow valleys. Low slumping clay cliffs in the vicinity of Bouldnor.

Biodiversity ( BAP habitat, Designated sites UK BAP Species)

SSSIs : Bouldnor & Hamstead Cliffs, Newtown Harbour, North Park Copse, Thorness Bay, Parkhurst Forest, Cranmore

SINCs: Bouldnor Copse, Ningwood Common, Upper Hamstead Plantation, Creek Farm Wood, Shalfleet Farm Wood West, Nunney’s Wood, Woodslade Coppice, Shalfleet Mill, Shishford Copse, Calbourne Meadows, Causeway Lake Scrubs, Harts Farm Meadows, Three Gates West, Guyer’s Heath, Rushcroft Copse, Woodwax Copse, Yatland Copse, Fleetlands Copse, Harelane Plantation, Long Copse, Bulls Wood, Three Gates East, Locks Farm, Hummet Wood, Burnt Wood, Thorness Wood, Rolls Bridge Copse, Rolls Farm Wood, Whitehouse Copse, Chalkclose Copse, Parkhurst Forest, Ridge Copse, Noke Plantation

BAP habitat

• Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
• Heathland/acid grassland
• Ancient/Species rich hedgerows
• Saltmarsh
• Mudflats
• Vegetated shingle
• Coastal grazing marsh
• Saline lagoons
• Maritime cliffs and slopes

UK BAP Species

Red Squirrel; Dormouse; Woodland bats; Curlew (wintering); Black-tailed godwit (wintering); Lapwing (wintering); Brent goose (wintering); White admiral; Small pearl-bordered fritillary; Pearl-bordered fritillary; Brown Hairstreak; Reddish buff moth; Small cord grass; Pale dog violet; Nightjar; Great crested newt; White letter hairstreak; Pillwort; Lobularia pulmonia; Brown hare; Lagoon sand shrimp; Yellowhammer; Reed bunting; Slender Hare’s ear; Divided sedge; Adder; Skylark.

Access

Public rights of way network crosses the area as a whole. Open access in Parkhurst Forest and Bouldnor Forest; no access to MOD land.

Targets – main opportunities

• Woodland management for mammals, birds and butterflies
• Hedgerow management
• High tide roosts for waterbirds
• Managed retreat at coastal sites
• Heathland/acid grassland restoration

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