Outstanding Flora & Fauna

Landscape and the underlying geology of our land creates the rich fabric on which all wildlife habitats sit and as AONBs contain some of the finest landscapes it follows that AONBs host the most special and diverse wildlife in Britain - enough to keep the most enthusiastic naturalist happy.

Diversity is at the core of the wealth of wildlife contained within AONBs. From the shore, to the mountains via wooded valleys and moorland; AONBs conserve and enhance a mosaic of designated wildlife sites. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Natural Reserves (NNR) abound, whilst Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites serve as international recognition of the quality and diversity of the wildlife sites within AONB’s. (link www.english-nature.gov.uk)

During winter the mudflats of the coastal AONBs are bustling with the many thousands of waterfowl which have been driven from frozen northern climes in search of food. Birds such as knot, grey plover, wigeon, and Brent geese travel from as far as arctic Canada, Siberia, European Arctic islands and Scandinavia.

In spring and summer these same mudflats and coastal areas will throng to the sound of breeding birds; some of have which have spent their winter out at sea, others such as terns will have travelled from coastal West Africa to breed on our shores, a migration which has evolved over many hundreds of thousands, even millions, of years. It is not just birds which come to the shore to breed. Grey and common seals occupy the same offshore islands and coastal flats as the breeding birds leave on their autumn migration.

In the autumn these rich coastal habitats become vital service stations to migrating wading birds breaking their long journeys. Mudflats are rich in invertebrate life, it has been said that one cubic metre of estuarine mud contains more biomass than almost any other habitat on the planet.

Moving inland, in late spring and summer, moorland and mountain are alive to resounding bird song; the evocative calls of the curlew and lapwing fill the air as they fly loop the loop in song flight. These upland areas are sometimes the last breeding stronghold and hold very important populations of wading birds, driven from the lowlands by the loss of wet grassland habitat. Many of these upland AONBs are home to important birds of prey. Species, such as the Peregrine and Merlin and the lesser known hen harrier can be seen. In particular the Chilterns AONB can be proud of their successful Red Kite release programme (link http://www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/red_kites_nestwatch.html).


Spring and summer is a busy and colourful time within AONBs, the diverse and floristically rich grasslands of AONBs reflect the underlying geology. Lime rich, base rich, acid or alkaline, lowland and upland, you name it, an AONB has got it. AONB grasslands contain some of Britain’s rarest and endangered plants. But it’s not just the rare species; it’s also about the assemblage, the associations of plants and how they grow together - the symbiotic relationships. Away from the wilder areas, traditional management of meadows has done much to conserve and enhance our floristic heritage. In recent years, pressure on farm production has led to the reduction in wildlife value, and the new DEFRA administered agri-environment schemes - Entry Level (ELS) and Higher Level Schemes (HLS) for farm management will go some way to redress the balance and will assist in the protection and further enhancement and will also bring under good management significant areas of farm grassland.

The trees of Ancient and semi-natural woodlands are a wonderful wildlife resource in their own right but the environment they create provides a home to many plants, birds and animals and AONBs hold large tracts of good quality woodland.

On this 50th anniversary of AONBs, go out and explore, discover and enjoy the fantastic range of natural habitats that are to be found in this family of finest landscapes. Many AONBs are organising events and guided walks to assist in the discovery and appreciation of the special features.