Hewitt's Chalk Bank
OS Map 177 TQ 480629 : Nr Orpington
Post code: BR67SH
A four hectare site, chalk downland site. There is a large chalk mound on this reserve, formed after the excavation of a railway tunnel.
The mound supports a good chalkland plant community. Species include wild thyme, pyramidal and bee orchid, hairy violet, eyebright, marjoram, fairy flax, goat’s-rue, soapwort, wild parsnip and common milkwort.
The southern part of the site is covered by rank grassland with scrub. This area is very popular with birds such as whitethroat, linnet, greenfinch and chaffinch. The site was once a rubbish tip and the clay that has been used to cap it has led to a variety of plants growing in patches
within the grassland area. Bee orchid, grass vetchling and dark mullein are amongst the more unusual species.
