Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses

Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of Search Isle of Wight
Grid reference SZ584877
Interest Biological
Area 10.3 hectare
Notification 1987
Location map Natural England

Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses is a 10.3 hectare Site of special scientific interest which is south of Ashey on the Isle of Wight. The site was notified in 1987 for its biological value.

This area of woodland follows a stream at the foot of Ashey Down and is owned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who manage it to encourage red squirrels and other local wildlife. The stream is said to contain stones stained red by the blood of a battle between "Saxons and Danes", although this is said to be due to red algae, although it is difficult to actually find any. The position is quite a likely one for such a battle as the valley through which the stream flows forms a defensive barrier against any force attempting to attack Carisbrooke from a landing in Bembridge Harbour. It could equally be the site of the battle between Saxons and Jutes in 686 CE where King Arwald was killed by King Caedwalla.

References

Alverstone Marshes • America Wood • Arreton Down • Bembridge Down • Bembridge School And Cliffs • Bonchurch Landslips • Bouldnor And Hamstead Cliffs • Brading Marshes To St. Helen's Ledges • Briddlesford Copses • Calbourne Down • Colwell Bay • Compton Chine to Steephill Cove • Compton Down • Cranmore • Cridmore Bog • Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses • Freshwater Marshes • Garston's Down • Greatwood And Cliff Copses • Headon Warren And West High Down • King's Quay Shore • Lacey's Farm Quarry • Lake Allotments • Locks Farm Meadow • Medina Estuary • Mottistone Down • Newtown Harbour • Northpark Copse • Parkhurst Forest • Priory Woods • Prospect Quarry • Rew Down • Rowridge Valley • Ryde Sands and Wootton Creek • Shide Quarry • St Lawrence Bank • The Wilderness • Thorness Bay • Ventnor Downs • Whitecliff Bay And Bembridge Ledges • Yar Estuary