Wildlife

Mapperton’s ancient woodlands, grasslands and marshland support a rich variety of wildlife with more than 3,200 plant and animals species recorded, including a significant number of nationally and internationally scarce or rare species.

The rare wet woodland habitat along the river valley is home to a suite of insects associated with shady seepage including craneflies, snail-killing flies, soldier flies and robber flies.
Our broad-leaved woodlands support rich and unusual lichens, carpets of bluebells and other ancient woodland herbs, plentiful roe and fallow deer and a rich bird community including a healthy population of marsh tits.

At Coltleigh, the complex underlying geology creates an intimate mosaic of grassland, marsh and scattered scrub which is species-rich in places and important for plants, insects and birds. Noteworthy species present include green-winged orchid (an indicator of old pastures), the rare french oat-grass, nationally scarce insects such as the large marsh horsefly and western bee-fly, breeding stonechat, hobby and willow warbler and visiting jack snipe in the winter months.

The surrounding farmland is of interest too. Some of the heavily grazed sheep pastures which overlie moderately acidic soils are important for waxcaps and other grassland fungi, while the mixed farmland with hedgerows supports skylarks, yellowhammers and brown hare.

Silver Washed Fritillary, Dr Tom Brereton

Brown Hare, Dr Tom Brereton

Stonechat, Dr Tom Brereton