Queendown Warren
The south-facing slopes of Queendown Warren reserve support a fine example of unimproved chalk grassland.
Fragrant Orchid at Queendown Warren
©Simon Williams/Plantlife
These grasslands typically occur on shallow soils with a high calcium carbonate content and often have an extremely rich flora with up to fifty species in every square metre.
Sadly, this habitat type has suffered dramatic losses throughout England and is now uncommon.
Orchids thrive in the dry, nutrient-poor conditions associated with chalk downland and ten species of orchid are regularly seen at Queendown Warren, including Early-spider, Burnt, Man, Fly, and Bee Orchid.
Alongside the orchids other wild flowers such as Yellow-wort, Sainfoin and Stemless Thistle grow in abundance. The reserve is also home to Meadow Clary, one of the plants for which Plantlife is taking action under our endangered species recovery programme Back from the Brink.
April: Early Spider-orchid
May: Early-purple Orchid, Cowslip
June: Bee Orchid, Horseshoe Vetch, Common Rock-rose, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, White Helleborine, Rough Hawkbit, Horseshoe Vetch, Meadow Clary
July: Pyramidal Orchid, Sainfoin, Squinancywort, Vervain, Greater Knapweed
August: Yellow-wort
The reserve is grazed with cattle or ponies over the autumn and winter to produce the short sward height needed by its special plants and butterflies.
Location: Near Chatham, Kent. Centre of reserve TQ 830 630
links
Map and directions Click below to see the map and directions for the reserve.
Management
Queendown Warren is managed by Kent Wildlife Trust on behalf of Plantlife.
Kent Downs AONB Queendown Warren lies in the beautiful countryside of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Further details
For further details contact the Plantlife Office or e-mail joe.costley@ plantlife.org.uk