Devil's Dyke Restoration Project

Species and Sightings

Species and Habitats

Devil's Dyke is a fantastic example of chalk grassland, home to a wonderful variety of wild flowers, herbs, butterflies and other insects, many of which are now extremely uncommon. Lowland Calcareous Grassland is a key priority habitat for Cambridgeshire and Devil's Dyke currently supports one of the most extensive areas of chalk grassland in the county. With continued sympathetic management the special value of this habitat for nature conservation should further increase during the period of the Restoration Project. This is a significant contribution towards the long-term targets in the local biodiversity action plan.	common blue (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge
The unmistakable Pasque Flower is a speciality of Devil's Dyke, its bell-like violet flowers are up to 5cm across and can be seen here during April and May alongside the Cowslips. A Local Species Action Plan has been produced for the Pasqueflower of which Devil's Dyke is one of only two sites in Cambridgeshire for this species. The work being carried out as part of the Restoration Project is expected to greatly benefit this species. From May to August the turf is in full colour; Salad Burnet, yellow horseshoe-vetch and rockrose, blue milkwort and harebell, mauve field scabious and clustered bellflower and the pink sainfoin are amongst the more common flowers.	pyramidal orchid (photo: Rachel Remnant) click to enlarge
The Lizard Orchid is another rare plant that grows on the banks of the Dyke. It is a large plant up to 70cm high that flowers late June and early July and has a remarkably strong smell of goats. The site is one of the richest in the county for species of butterfly and includes dingy skipper, brown argus and green hairstreak. The chalkhill blue butterfly requires short grassland containing horseshoe vetch for its caterpillars to feed on, together with a particular species of ant. The ants guard the feeding larvae and protect the pupae in their nests in return for sugars and proteins which the caterpillars and pupae produce. Chalkhill blue butterflies can be seen from late July to end of August on the Racecourse and Golf course sections and are abundant.	lizard orchid (photo: Wildlife Trust BCNP) click to enlarge
Another interesting insect to look out for is the green tiger beetle. These can be spotted sunning themselves on the ground and when disturbed, take off in a noisy, buzzing flight before landing a short distance away. They are fierce carnivores and use the light, well-drained soil to make little burrows in where they lie in wait for prey. By high summer large numbers of grass hoppers and bush crickets can be seen along with huge numbers of snails associated with calcareous grassland.	chalkhill blue (photo: Peter Stroh) click to enlarge
Several bird species actually nest within the grassland such as skylark which can be heard singing high above the Dyke. Other birds that breed on the site, including whitethroat, yellowhammer and long-tailed tit, nest in the shrubs and trees that surround the grassland. Since the construction of Devil's Dyke around 1,400 years ago, a wonderful woodland habitat has developed on the southern-most stretch near Stetchworth and Woodditton. Ancient oak, ash & beech trees grow above a rich ground flora of bluebells, primroses, cowslips and dog's mercury. Box and snowberry shrubs are also frequent along this part of Devil's Dyke.	fragrant orchid (photo: Rachel Remnant) click to enlarge
Amongst the dense woodland canopy, occasional hazel coppice stands and grassy glades are maintained that benefit the many butterflies found here, including speckled wood, gatekeeper, green-veined white and orange tip.	small blue (photo: John Dawson) click to enlarge
	pasque flower (photo: English Nature) click to enlarge

Sightings

SPECIES	LOCATION	DATE
Pasque-flower:	Devil's Dyke, beside Newmarket golf course.	Expect good numbers from mid April to mid May, depending on the season
Chalkhill blue butterfly:	Devil's Dyke beside Newmarket racecourse.	Expect to see these flying from mid July to early Sept.
Lizard Orchid:	Devil's Dyke beside Newmarket racecourse.	Expect to see these flowering from mid June to early July.