York Historic Environment Record

Strensall Common forms part of an internationally important lowland heath. It comprises a number of different habitats, the principal ones being wet heath, dry heath and birch/oak woodland.There are usually areas of standing water, particularly in winter. Over 150 plant species are found here, perhaps the most noteworthy being marsh cinquefoil, marsh gentian, round-leaved sundew and petty whin. Birds number some 60 species of which about 40 breed regularly including curlew, occasionally whinchat, and woodland species such as green and great spotted woodpecker. Insects include green and purple hairstreak butterflies, dark-bordered beauty moth, bog bush cricket and glow worm, as well as biting midges! Over 100 different species of spider have been recorded. Mammal records include fox, hare and harvest mouse. Viviparous lizards can be seen in good numbers, sunning themselves; adders occur but care should be taken if encountered. Strensall Common lies in a very shallow depression in the glacial clays which has subsequently been filled with lacustrine sands. The soils are peaty and acidic apart from occasional areas of raised leached sand. Hebridean sheep and Highland cattle graze during summer to keep down encroaching vegetation. (source: http://www.ywt.org.uk/nature_reserves.php?id=55) Strensall Common has been used as a military training area which was established in the late 19th century for volunteer's camps, etc. There are extensive military structures on the Common