| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
  Location within Dorset | |
| Location | Dorset |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SY981907 |
| Coordinates | 50°42′57″N 2°01′42″W / 50.715926°N 2.0282767°W / 50.715926; -2.0282767 |
| Area | 79.0 acres (0.3197 km; 0.1234 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1987 |
Ham Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within Dorset Heathlands Ramsar site, in Dorset, England. It is located near Hamworth and includes a stretch of cliff along the north side of Poole Harbour.
Geology
Fossilised plants from the Eocene epoch have been recovered from clay deposits within this protected area. The pipe-clay deposits hold fossils that would currently be regarded as tropical.
Biology
Dry heathland dominates the site. Sand Lizard has been recorded in this protected area. Bird species include the Dartford Warbler.
Land ownership
Ham Common SSSI consists of two areas of land. The northern unit is near the mainline railway, the southern unit borders the harbour. Part of the northern unit is owned by the Ministry of Defence.
References
- "SSSI detail". designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- "Protected Planet | Ham Common, Dorset". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- "Dorset Heathlands | Ramsar Sites Information Service". rsis.ramsar.org. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- Walton, John (April 1963). "Tropical Floras in the Tertiary in Southern England". Nature. 198 (4875): 47. doi:10.1038/198047a0. ISSN 1476-4687.
- "Mapping the habitats of England's ten largest institutional landowners". Who owns England?. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2024-10-26.