Ham Common SSSI, Dorset explained

Ham Common
Aos:Dorset
Coordinates:50.7159°N -2.0283°W
Area:79acres
Notifydate:1987

Ham Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)[1] [2] within Dorset Heathlands Ramsar site,[3] in Dorset, England. It is located near Hamworth and includes a stretch of cliff along the north side of Poole Harbour.

Geology

Fossilised plants from the Eocene epoch have been recovered from clay deposits within this protected area. The pipe-clay deposits hold fossils that would currently be regarded as tropical.[4]

Biology

Dry heathland dominates the site. Sand Lizard has been recorded in this protected area. Bird species include the Dartford Warbler.

Land ownership

Ham Common SSSI consists of two areas of land. The northern unit is near the mainline railway, the southern unit borders the harbour. Part of the northern unit is owned by the Ministry of Defence.[5]

References

  1. Web site: SSSI detail . 2024-10-26 . designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk.
  2. Web site: Protected Planet Ham Common, Dorset . 2024-10-27 . Protected Planet.
  3. Web site: Dorset Heathlands Ramsar Sites Information Service . 2024-10-26 . rsis.ramsar.org.
  4. Walton . John . April 1963 . Tropical Floras in the Tertiary in Southern England . Nature . en . 198 . 4875 . 47 . 10.1038/198047a0 . 1476-4687.
  5. Web site: 2020-10-06 . Mapping the habitats of England's ten largest institutional landowners . 2024-10-26 . Who owns England? . en.

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