This area consists of the low lying valley of the Upper River Ray as it flows from Grendon Underwood to the border with Oxfordshire. It also includes the hills around Charndon. The BOA connects with the Bernwood BOA and the Ray Conservation Target Area in Oxfordshire.
Area Coverage: 1232 ha
Local wildlife sites: 13
SSSI: 1
BAP Habitat:
Lowland Meadow: 114 ha
Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh: 105 ha
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland: 9 ha
Joint Character Area: Upper Thames Clay Vales
Landscape Types: Unwooded agricultural lowlands
Geology: Largely Oxford Clay mudstone. There is alluvium along the streams and occasional patches of Till and Head.
Topography: A flat river valley.
Biodiversity:
Lowland Meadows – Extensive areas of lowland meadows including MG1, MG4, MG5b, MG6 & MG11 communities.
Ponds – There are numerous ponds scattered across the meadows.
Streams – The Upper Ray is serviced by a number of streams, including the Tetchwick Stream.
Species – An important area for Great Crested Newts, Brown Hairstreak and True Fox Sedge.
Targets:
Lowland Meadow: Management, Restoration
Ponds: Management, Restoration, Creation
Rivers: Management, Restoration
Hedgerows – Management, Restoration
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland – Management
Archeology:
There is a large amount of surviving ridge and furrow in the area, with the fields around Ludgershall being of national importance.
Places to visit:
BBOWT own several parcels of land adjacent to the Ray. There are some public footpaths crossing the BOA.