Common land in the Chilterns has traditionally been managed
far less intensively than farmland. For this reason, many commons
contain a variety of natural or semi-natural habitats and these
are often important for wildlife.
Wildflowers thrive on commons and in the summer plants such
as Tormentil, Heath Bedstraw, Catsear and Harebell can be seen
growing. Salad Burnet with its pink flowers is a particular
feature of Chilterns commons because it prefers chalky soil.
The flowers attract insects including various varieties of butterfly
like Ringlet and Common Blue. On sunny days Common Lizards can
be seen basking on stones.
Many commons have become invaded by scrub and trees so that
they resemble woodland more than open grassland. Wildlife found
here includes a great variety of birds such as woodpeckers,
finches, tits and nuthatches. Foxgloves, primroses and bluebells
grow on the woodland floor.
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