Habitat and conservation
Unique habitat
Ditchling Common is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) primarily because of its heavy clay soil. The soil supports a variety of grassland types, making it ecologically valuable.
Around 1950, the park was almost treeless, dominated by heavily grazed grass and bracken.
As grazing pressure eased later in the 20th century, trees began to spread. Today, nearly 50% of the park is woodland.
This mix of scrub and woodland provides essential habitats for species such as dormice, butterflies, and nesting birds.
Conservation management
If left unmanaged, Ditchling Common would eventually be covered in mature trees, with little understorey. To maintain the rich biodiversity, our conservation efforts focus on:
- Controlling woodland succession
- Preserving and extending open grassland areas
- Maintaining a patchwork of scrub habitats
This is achieved through a combination of methods. Including tree felling, coppicing, mowing, bracken rolling, and grazing with cattle.
Coppicing: an ancient conservation tool
Coppicing is the practice of cutting trees down to just above ground level during winter, and allowing them to regrow from the stump.
Historically, this method was used to grow timber of the desired size before mechanized tools existed. From a conservation perspective, coppicing:
- Prolongs tree life by rejuvenating them
- Keeps woodland in flux with trees of varying ages
- Supports a wider range of wildlife species by creating diverse habitats
Wildlife highlights
Dormice
The woodland areas at Ditchling Common are home to dormice. These charming creatures indicate healthy woodland ecosystems. Although rarely seen, we plan to launch a monitoring program to learn more about their population here.
Butterflies
Ditchling Common is a haven for butterflies, including all five species of hairstreak butterflies, purple emperors, and several rare moths.
These fascinating insects thrive across the park’s varied habitats.
Explore and enjoy the rich natural heritage of Ditchling Common while helping us protect it for future generations!