Hipperley Beck
Site Details
Recorders: Unknown Route distance: 6193m Altitude 122m Walk time: 2hrs
This circular route on the west and east side of the beck is mostly conifer plantations with some clear felled areas with early stage coppice that may make it suitable for Fritillaries.
Mnay of the Forestry rides are wide and the chalk roads encourage more flowering plants and a greater variety. Dark-green, Silver washed and a very good population of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are present
Sections
S1 woodland is the home of many speckled woods.
S2 decidous forest with coppice was highly productive For Fritillaries with 70 SPBF , SWF and DGF and its flower rich grassalnds held many Ringlet and even small skipper and Common Blues and a few meado wbrowns .
S3 also had good numbers of SPBF and other species.
S4 less again with some grassland species,
S5 see very low numbers of speckled wood or other shade lovers but surprisingly quite a few Peacock which seems to abound in teh upper half of the valley
S6 Even more Peacocks and some Small pearls Common Blue and Comma's and Dingy Skipper on the chalk road junctions with Birds foot trefoil and more flowers for the vanessids
S7 peacock reach very high levels and teh second busiest section with wide grassy ride sides and more meadow browns but particularly Ringlets and teh Wall was seen
S8 back into more shaded forest with many grassalnd species but still plenty of Peacocks
S9 more open and grassy than S8 and Comma appear in more numbers
S10 again shaded but grassy forest rise
