{{Short description|Area in Sound, Cheshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox SSSI |image=240px |image_caption=Damp woodland is a common habitat at Sound Heath |name=Sound Heath |coordinates = {{coord|53.027|-2.567|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} |aos=Cheshire |interest=Biological |gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SJ620479}}, {{gbmappingsmall|SJ623481}} |area={{convert|4.8|ha|abbr=on}} |notifydate={{Start date|1963}} |enref=1002045 }}
'''Sound Heath''', also known as '''Sound Common''', is an area of common land in Sound, near Nantwich in Cheshire, England, which includes heathland, grassland, scrub, woodland and wetland habitats. The majority of the area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve.
One of the very few lowland heaths in Cheshire, Sound Heath is a valuable habitat for heathland plants and animals, although its heathland character is currently under threat from the spread of trees and scrub. The common's ponds form one of the most important sites in the county for freshwater invertebrates. Three nationally rare or endangered species have been found within the area: the mud snail (which is now one of the UK's most endangered freshwater creatures, having been recently recategorised as near threatened across Europe in the new IUCN European Red List of Non-marine Molluscs), great raft spider and the ''Enochrus isotae'' species of water scavenger beetle, as well as the nationally scarce beautiful snout moth. The first sightings of the migrant hawker dragonfly in Cheshire were at Sound Heath, and many other locally rare species have been recorded here. The site is also an important breeding site for birds.
==Geography and geology== Sound Heath lies on the Cheshire Plain, 3 miles southwest of Nantwich, at an average elevation of around 65 metres.<ref name=OS>Ordnance Survey: Explorer series no. 257: Crewe & Nantwich, Whitchurch & Tattenhall</ref> The underlying geology is Keuper marl (Mercia Mudstone Group), a red sandstone laid down during the Triassic period. Glacial sand deposition has generated a light, sandy soil which is nutrient poor. Localised sand extraction has resulted in numerous pools.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham />
The Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of Sound Heath was designated in 1963<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> and occupies 4.80 Ha. The Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which is named Sound Common, was designated in 1992;<ref name=LNR_summary>[http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?themeid=1009145 Natural England: Local Nature Reserves: Sound Heath] (accessed 12 April 2010)</ref> it is slightly smaller at 4.61 Ha. Both SSSI and LNR include two distinct sites: the larger site (3.84 Ha in the SSSI) lies between Wrenbury Heath Road–Sound Lane and the Red Lion Farm track, and is centred at around {{gbmappingsmall|SJ620479}}. A second smaller area (0.96 Ha) lies northeast of the main site, to the north of Wrenbury Heath Road, and is centred at around {{gbmappingsmall|SJ623481}}.<ref name=SSSI_condition>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/special/sssi/reportAction.cfm?report=sdrt13&category=S&reference=1007131 Natural England: Sound Heath: Condition of SSSI units] (accessed 9 April 2010)</ref><ref name=SSSI_map>[http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=1007131,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL Natural England: Map of Sound Heath SSSI] (accessed 25 July 2013)</ref><ref name=LNR_map>[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271007131%27 Natural England: Map of Sound Heath LNR] (accessed 25 July 2013)</ref>
The common land includes both SSSI/LNR sites and also extends over a larger region, including three additional areas contiguous with the larger SSSI/LNR site: north of Sound Lane, and in the triangles formed by Sound Lane, Wrenbury Heath Road and Heath View, and Wrenbury Heath Road, the Red Lion Farm track and an unnamed north–south track. It is open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.<ref name=OS /><ref>Natural England: CRoW Access Land Maps: Sound Heath (downloaded from [http://www.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk/wps/portal/oasys/maps/MapSearch]; 10 April 2010)</ref>
==Habitats== Sound Heath contains several diverse habitats: damp and dry heathland, grassland, scrub and young woodland.<ref name=SSSI_pdf>[http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1007131.pdf Natural England: Sound Heath] (accessed 9 April 2010)</ref><ref name=LNR_descr>[http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=6&N=&ID=410 Natural England: Local Nature Reserves: Sound Heath] (accessed 9 April 2010)</ref> Numerous permanent or seasonal pools are scattered throughout the area.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham>Latham FA, ed. ''Acton'', pp. 127–8 (The Local History Group; 1995) ({{ISBN|0 9522284 1 6}})</ref>
===Heath and grassland=== thumb|right|240px|Grassy heathland and scrub Lowland heath (heathland below 300 metres elevation) is an internationally scarce habitat which is rare within Cheshire.<ref name=Meres /> A survey in 1995 found only 60 Ha in the administrative county, of which as little as 11 Ha were wet heath.<ref>[http://www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk/action-plans/listing.php?id=31 Cheshire Region Biodiversity Partnership: Habitat Action Plans: Heathland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210628/http://www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk/action-plans/listing.php?id=31 |date=2011-07-16 }} (accessed 10 April 2010)</ref> Sound Heath is one of only four lowland heath SSSIs in the county.<ref name=Meres />
In the areas of damp heath, the predominant species when the site was designated an SSSI in 1963 were common heather (''Calluna vulgaris''), cross-leaved heath (''Erica tetralix''), common gorse (''Ulex europaeus''), western gorse (''U. gallii'') and purple moor grass (''Molinia caerulea''). These areas also of bog moss (''Sphagnum'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> A total of 50 species of bryophytes have been recorded at the site, including the large white-moss (''Leucobryum glaucum''), which is rare in Cheshire.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham /> Other locally rare species that have been observed here include bog asphodel (''Narthecium ossifragum''), common lousewort (''Pedicularis sylvatica'') and round-leaved sundew (''Drosera rotundifolia'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham />
The drier areas of heath have a grassy character, with typical species being matgrass (''Nardus stricta'') and wavy hair-grass (''Deschampsia flexuosa'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> Common tormentil (''Potentilla erecta''), dovesfoot cranesbill (''Geranium molle''), heath bedstraw (''Galium saxatile''), heath milkwort (''Polygala serpyllifolia'') and heath rush (''Juncus squarrosus'') have also been recorded, as has the locally rare bird's-foot (''Ornithopus perpusillus'') and shepherd's cress (''Teesdalia nudicaulis'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham /><ref name=Rare_plant_register />
During the late 20th century, the area of heathland has been substantially reduced by the encroachment of scrub, birch, alder and willow.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=SSSI_condition /> The incursion of trees has caused the heath to become drier, resulting in the loss of some wet heath plants, including bog asphodel and round-leaved sundew.<ref name=sign>"Sound Common: The Pond", Cheshire Countryside Management Service & Borough of Crewe & Nantwich</ref>
thumb|left|240px|One of many small woodland ponds
===Wetland=== The wetland habitat at Sound Heath is very diverse, ranging from small ponds and damp hollows to Sound Pond ({{gbmappingsmall|SJ619480}}), which is nearly 60 metres in length.<ref>[http://maps.cheshire.gov.uk/cheshirecc.interactivemapping.web.internet/Default.aspx?e=361924&n=348035&mpp=0.15875&layers=BOU.PLA.PLO.PAR&hLayer=&hField=&hValue= Cheshire East Council & Cheshire West and Chester Council: Interactive Mapping: Sound Pond] (accessed 10 April 2010)</ref> Water bodies are found both in the sunny open heath areas and within the woodland.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> As the pools result from the extraction of sand, they have a different ecology from the more common marl-pits, as well as from the glacial kettle holes and salt-subsidence flashes of the Cheshire Plain. Most have reached the late succession (mature) stage.<ref name=Meres /> Although the encroachment of trees on the common has led to some ponds becoming infilled with leaf debris, reducing the number of permanent pools, the resultant seasonal wet areas support several rare plant species.<ref name=sign />
The pools provide a habitat for a wide range of emergent plants, of which the rarest is bog St John's-wort (''Hypericum elodes''), previously believed to have died out in Cheshire. The locally rare floating club rush (''Eleogiton fluitans'') has been recorded at the site. Other wetland species observed here include bogbean (''Menyanthes trifoliata''), garlic mustard (''Alliaria petiolata''), greater spearwort (''Ranunculus lingua''), lesser celandine (''Ranunculus ficaria''), marsh cinquefoil (''Potentilla palustris''), marsh marigold (''Caltha palustris''), marsh pennywort (''Hydrocotyle vulgaris''), marsh thistle (''Cirsium palustre''), marsh violet (''Viola palustris''), reedmace (''Typha''), water violet (''Hottonia palustris'') and wavy bittercress (''Cardamine flexuosa'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham /><ref name=Rare_plant_register>[http://www.bsbi.org.uk/CheshireRPR2008.pdf Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland: Cheshire VC58: County Rare Plant Register 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004519/http://www.bsbi.org.uk/CheshireRPR2008.pdf |date=2011-07-17 }} (accessed 04 February 2014)</ref>
===Scrub and woodland=== The woodland predominantly dates from the past 40 years, although there are some mature oaks and other trees. The main species are common alder (''Alnus glutinosa''), pedunculate oak (''Quercus robur''), silver birch (''Betula pendula'') and willow (''Salix''), with common bramble (''Rubus fruticosus'') predominant in the undergrowth.<ref name=SSSI_pdf />
==Fauna==
===Invertebrates=== [[File:Herbst-Mosaikjungfer5.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Migrant hawker dragonfly]] The mature pools of Sound Heath form one of the most important sites in Cheshire for freshwater invertebrates.<ref name=Latham /><ref name=Meres>[http://www.naturalareas.naturalengland.org.uk/science/natural/profiles%5CnaProfile27.pdf English Nature: Natural Areas 27: Meres and Mosses (27 February 1998)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206123905/http://www.naturalareas.naturalengland.org.uk/Science/natural/profiles/naProfile27.pdf |date=6 February 2009 }} (accessed 10 April 2010)</ref> The mud snail (''Omphiscola glabra''),<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> ''Enochrus isotae'' species of water scavenger beetle<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> and the great raft spider (''Dolomedes plantarius''),<ref name=Latham /> which are rare or endangered in the UK,<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref>[http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=267 UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Species Action Plan: Fen Raft Spider (''Dolomedes plantarius'')] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028111538/http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=267 |date=2007-10-28 }} (accessed 12 April 2010)</ref> are among the many species that have been recorded in the site's ponds. Locally rare pond dwellers include the caseless caddisfly (''Holocentropus stagnalis'') and the diving beetle (''Hygrotus decoratus'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf />
Dragonflies and damselflies are common, with 15 species recorded, two-thirds of which are known to breed here. Species include the broad-bodied chaser (''Libellula depressa''), common hawker (''Aeshna juncea''), emperor (''Anax imperator'') and ruddy darter (''Sympetrum sanguineum''), as well as the first Cheshire sighting of the migrant hawker (''Aeshna mixta'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham />
The beautiful snout moth (''Hypena crassalis''), a scarce moth species in the UK, has been recorded at the site.<ref name=Latham /> The open heath and grassland no longer forms a breeding site for the small heath butterfly (''Coenonympha pamphilus''), whose numbers are declining in the UK.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref>[http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=62 Butterfly Conservation: Small Heath] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620092049/http://butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=62 |date=2010-06-20 }} (accessed 10 April 2010)</ref>
Sixty species of spider have been recorded at the site.<ref name=Latham />
[[File:Accipiter nisus -in flight-8-4c.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Sparrowhawk]]
===Birds=== Sound Heath forms an important breeding site for a wide range of birds. Locally rare species include the Eurasian sparrowhawk (''Accipiter nisus'') and the willow tit (''Parus montanus'').<ref name=SSSI_pdf /> Among the other species that have been observed here are the moorhen, reed bunting, turtle dove and willow warbler, the tawny, little and barn owls, and the greater spotted, lesser spotted and green woodpeckers.<ref name=Latham /><ref name=sign />
===Other animals=== The heathland is a significant local habitat for the common lizard (''Zootoca vivipara'') grass snakes ''(Natrix natrix)'', and slowworms (''Anguis fragilis'') dominate the mats in the grassland in spring-time.<ref name=SSSI_pdf /><ref name=Latham /> The common newt (''Lissotriton vulgaris''), common toad (''Bufo bufo'') and common frog (''Rana temporaria'') all inhabit the ponds,<ref name=sign /> and the high insect numbers associated with the water attract bats, such as the common pipistrelle (''Pipistrellus pipistrellus'') and common long-eared bat (''Plecotus auritus'').<ref name=Meres /><ref name=sign />
==Management and current status== thumb|left|240px|Sound Pond is threatened by growth of New Zealand pondweed, as well as illegal fishing and camping Sound Heath is managed by the Cheshire Countryside Management Service and volunteers from the Sound and District Residents Association (SADRA), which was founded in November 2000 to carry out conservation work at the common.<ref name=LNR_summary /><ref>[http://www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/soundresidents/index.phtml Sound and District Residents Association formation] (accessed 10 April 2010)</ref> The landowner is Cheshire East unitary authority (formerly Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council).<ref name=LNR_summary /> Management includes scrub and bramble clearance, removal of saplings, gorse thinning, removal of New Zealand pondweed from Sound Pond, maintenance of footpaths and footbridges, and removal of rubbish. Heather seeds from the Little Budworth Common SSSI were planted in 2003.<ref name=SADRA_minutes>Sound & District Residents Association: Minutes of Annual Committee Meeting: 17 December 2001, 30 January 2003, 8 January 2004, 13 January 2005, 19 January 2006 & 16 January 2007</ref>
Although in 2002/3 English Nature recommended removing mature trees from the edges of open areas to encourage heath regeneration, SADRA considers Sound Heath to be "not just a Heathland, but a 'Mosaic' site where no one part should be extended at the expense of another without good grounds for doing so."<ref name=SADRA_minutes_2003>Sound & District Residents Association: Minutes of Annual Committee Meeting: 30 January 2003</ref> The association's approach to tree removal has therefore been cautious, with progressive tree felling being undertaken only where beneficial effects to the site have been observed.<ref name=SADRA_minutes_2003 /><ref>Sound & District Residents Association: Minutes of Annual Committee Meeting: 8 January 2004</ref>
The site was assessed by Natural England as in an unfavourable but stable condition in 2008, due to a reduction in heath-associated plants caused by the growth of trees and scrub.<ref name=SSSI_condition /> Other threats to the area include fly-tipping, algal bloom in the ponds, and fishing, camping and lighting fires around Sound Pond.<ref name=sign /><ref name=SADRA_minutes />
Facilities for visitors include a car park on Sound Lane ({{gbmappingsmall|SJ623479}})<ref name=OS /> and an interpretive sign about the common's ponds ({{gbmappingsmall|SJ619479}}). Buses serving Sound Heath run on weekdays and Saturdays operating to/from Wrenbury, Nantwich and Leighton Hospital.<ref>{{cite web |title=52 Leighton Hospital - Wrenbury |url=https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/51-52/52/ |website=D&G Bus |publisher=D&G Bus |access-date=2 March 2026}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Cheshire}} *List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Cheshire
==References== {{reflist|2}}
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Cheshire Category:Local nature reserves in Cheshire Category:Lakes and reservoirs of Cheshire Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1963 Category:Landforms of Cheshire Category:Wetlands of England