Hook Norton Cutting and Banks

Hook Norton Cutting and Banks
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationOxfordshire
Grid referenceSP 358 316[1]
InterestBiological
Geological
Area6.7 hectares (17 acres)[1]
Notification1986[1]
Location mapMagic Map

Hook Norton Cutting and Banks is a 6.7-hectare (17-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Hook Norton in Oxfordshire. The site is in three areas, two of which are managed as a nature reserve called Hook Norton Cutting by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. and are designated a Geological Conservation Review site.[2][3][1][4]

Hook Norton Cutting is a nature reserve along two stretches of a disused railway line separated by a tunnel. Most of it is unimproved calcareous grassland with a rich variety of flora. The site is notable for its bee species, including one which has only been recorded at three other sites in the country, Andrena bucephala. The cutting exposes rocks dating to the Middle Jurassic, around 167 million years ago, which are the type section of the Hook Norton Member of the Chipping Norton Formation. Hook Norton Bank is a steeply sloping limestone grassland by the River Swere.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Hook Norton Cutting and Banks". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Hook Norton (Bathonian)". Geological Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 26 February 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Hook Norton Cutting". Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Map of Hook Norton Cutting and Banks". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Hook Norton Cutting and Banks citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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51°58′55″N 1°28′48″W / 51.982°N 1.480°W / 51.982; -1.480