Walton Common

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image=File:Walton Common.jpg

|name=Walton Common

|aos=Avon

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|ST428738}}

|coordinates = {{coord|51.46027|-2.82471|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

|displaymap=Somerset

|area={{convert|25.5|ha|km2 sqmi}}

|notifydate={{Start date|1991}}

|enref=1005923

}}

Walton Common ({{gbmapping|ST428738}}) is a 25.5 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near the village of Walton in Gordano, North Somerset, notified in 1991.[http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1005923.pdf English Nature citation sheet for the site] (accessed 16 July 2006)

The common, which is both a Scheduled Ancient Monument and an SSSI, is covered by a Countryside Stewardship agreement with the Countryside Agency. It remains in private ownership, but the Avon Wildlife Trust has a 10-year lease to manage it as a nature reserve. The site has two saucer-shaped round barrows from the Bronze Age, and the Walton Common banjo enclosure, a banjo enclosure from the late Iron Age that may be a univallate hillfort, with associated fields.{{NHLE| desc=Slight univallate hillfort, two avenues, saucer barrow, regular aggregate field system and associated earthworks on Walton Common |num=1007917 |access-date=3 January 2015}}

Wildflowers found on the common include thyme, marjoram, rock-rose, St John's wort, autumn gentian and violets. Butterflies are particularly notable including common blue, brown argus, grizzled and dingy skipper, green and purple hairstreak, and dark green fritillary. Other insects such as grasshoppers, glow-worms and moths are abundant. Birds identified at the site include; blackcap, whitethroat, buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk.{{cite web |url=http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/walton_common.htm |title=Walton Common |work=Reserves |publisher=Avon Wildlife Trust |access-date=7 October 2010}}