Flitch Way Wildlife
The whole length of the Flitch Way has been designated a Local Wildlife Site through the Essex Wildlife Sites Project (ref nos Ufd196 Flitch Way and Bra33 Flitch Way). The Flitch Way Country Park was opened in 1994 and is managed by Essex County Council (ECC) and is covered by their byelaws. It was designated a Local Nature Reserve on 3 October 2019.
Much of the land around the Flitch Way has been subject to intensive agriculture and urbanisation, whilst on the Flitch Way itself this has mainly been avoided. Although we cannot bring the whole of the Flitch Way back to its original state, which was predominantly open grassland, by working on selective areas to create a patchwork of environments, we can deliver real benefits for wildlife. In many cases these “wildlife hotspots” coincide with places that we can open up for views over the surrounding countryside. Here we supply and install benches so people can enjoy the views and rest their weary limbs.
Much of the land around the Flitch Way has been subject to intensive agriculture and urbanisation, whilst on the Flitch Way itself this has mainly been avoided. Although we cannot bring the whole of the Flitch Way back to its original state, which was predominantly open grassland, by working on selective areas to create a patchwork of environments, we can deliver real benefits for wildlife. In many cases these “wildlife hotspots” coincide with places that we can open up for views over the surrounding countryside. Here we supply and install benches so people can enjoy the views and rest their weary limbs.
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A Haven for Wildlife
All along the Flitch Way there are areas of open grassland with ant hills, insects, butterflies and a wide range of flowering plants these are “wildlife hotspots”. Our aims are to manage and enlarge them so that all this diversity can flourish. During the railway era most of the Flitch Way would have been open grassland. Any regrowth would have been cut or burnt periodically for reasons of good visibility avoiding problems such as “leaves on the line” etc. |
Spring bluebells near Takeley
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Environment
The Flitch Way connects the four Essex Wildlife Trust Living Landscape Areas of Hatfield Forest, Pincey Valley, Upper Chelmer and Pods Brook Valley. It links the nature reserves and open spaces of Hatfield Forest, Honeysuckle Wood and David Cock Community Woodland (Great Dunmow), Oak Meadow (Rayne), Great Notley Country Park, Hoppits Mead and John Ray Park (Braintree).
The Flitch Way connects the four Essex Wildlife Trust Living Landscape Areas of Hatfield Forest, Pincey Valley, Upper Chelmer and Pods Brook Valley. It links the nature reserves and open spaces of Hatfield Forest, Honeysuckle Wood and David Cock Community Woodland (Great Dunmow), Oak Meadow (Rayne), Great Notley Country Park, Hoppits Mead and John Ray Park (Braintree).
Wildlife recording
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5 herptile species including Great Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus), Slow worms (Angius fragilis) and Common toad (Bufo bufo) which are on the Essex or UK Biodiversity Action plan (BAP) list.
17 mammals including Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) which are on the Essex BAP |
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Of the 46 observed common bird species, a third are on the Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) red or amber status list
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400 plant species
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78 species moss & liverwort
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150 invertebrate species
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