Environmental importance of Eastnor Deer Park
Eastnor Deer Park is of huge environmental value due to its parkland habitat and the wildlife this supports. The Park was enclosed in the fifteenth century and it is highly probable that much of its native tree content is derived from the original forest cover of Malvern Chase which dates back to Norman times.
On 7 September 1990 Eastnor Park became a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Photograps by Peter Wakely/Natural England, Paul Glendell/Natural England, P.N.Watts/Natural England
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) ?
SSSIs are the country`s very best wildlife and geological sites. They include some of the most spectacular and beautiful habitats; wetlands teeming with wading birds, winding chalk rivers, flower-rich meadows, windswept shingle beaches and remote upland peat bogs. There are over 4,100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England, covering around 8% of the country's land area. More than 70% of these sites (by area) are internationally important for their wildlife.
Natural England is the statutory body who have the responsibility for protecting SSSIs in England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. At Eastnor Deer Park, Natural England have a close working relationship with the Eastnor Estate which means the wildlife value of the site is protected and enhanced whilst ensuring that the day to day working of the Estate can continue.
What makes Eastnor Deer Park so environmentally special ?
The park is of national environmental importance for its insects, particularly those found in the dead wood of some of the older trees. These insects have weird and wonderful names such as the oak tree pug, pale pinion and alder kitten.
The upper parts of the park are a stronghold for the nationally rare high brown fritillary butterfly and nationally scarce pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly which relies on a combination of violets which the larvae feed on and bracken where they lay their eggs.
Whilst you are here take time to look at the park and look out for birds such as tree-hole nesting birds including lesser spotted, great spotted and green woodpecker, nuthatch, stock dove and sparrowhawk which make use of the numerous old trees on the site. Song thrushes are to be heard singing in the park in the summer and the rough grassland and scrub provides habitat for cuckoo, tree pipit, linnet and yellowhammer.
The environmental future for Eastnor Deer Park
Wildlife is under pressure from development, pollution, climate change and unsympathetic land management and it is vital that the natural heritage we have left is saved for future generations.
It is because of the way that Eastnor Estate has managed the land that this habitat has developed, over hundreds of years. Their good practice through a combination of sympathetic grazing, forestry, arboriculture and general farming practices means that this resource remains today.
Eastnor Deer Park is a truly special site in terms of history, landscape and wildlife. Please take time to enjoy the stunning surroundings and spectacular wildlife while you are here at the festival.
For more information about Eastnor Deer Park visit www.eastnorcastle.com
If you want to find out more about Sites of Special Interest (SSSIs) and for details of how you can get involved in nature conservation through volunteering, visit www.naturalengland.org
