The cutting provides the best exposure in central England dating to the
Coniacian stage of the
Late Cretaceous, approximately 88 million years ago. It is part of the
Upper Chalk succession, and at its base there is a fossil rich section which is important in defining the boundary between the Coniacian and the preceding
Turonian stage.
Red kites are commonly seen flying within the cutting or on the surrounding downland, making their return after their persecution by game keepers in
Victorian times following a successful reintroduction programme organised by the
RSPB and
Natural England, which selected the Aston Rowant NNR as one of four initial sites in the UK for a captive release programme using birds brought in from
Spain. The scheme has been so successful that the population has grown to over 200 pairs and is now self-generating and supplies birds for similar release programmes elsewhere in the UK. The cutting features prominently in the opening titles to the
BBC comedy series
The Vicar of Dibley. ==References==