Kinver Edge
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO826820 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 9.65 | 2011-07-19 |
| SO826823 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 18.43 | 2021-08-16 |
| SO827820 | — | Favourable | 1.26 | 2022-03-29 |
| SO829825 | — | Favourable | 0.22 | 2022-03-29 |
| SO829828 | — | Favourable | 31.18 | 2021-08-16 |
| SO830823 | — | Favourable | 4.77 | 2021-08-16 |
| SO835829 | — | Favourable | 32.29 | 2021-08-16 |
| SO835833 | — | Favourable | 25.68 | 2021-08-16 |
| SO836835 | — | Favourable | 0.74 | 2022-03-29 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Sandstone
Landscape processes: Coastal
Description
Area, 124.8 ha. 308.3 ac. Description The site lies on a ridge of soft red Permian sandstone which is crowned by an Iron Age hill fort. The acidic soils derived from the sandstone support heathland communities on the dip slope and acidic oak birch woodland on the scarp slope. The Kinver heathland is one of a series on similar soils extending from Cannock Chase in Staffordshire to Hartlebury Common in Worcestershire. The invertebrate fauna includes a number of species of Lepidoptera which are restricted in their national distribution. The site is also important for its exposures of Permian sandstone. Biology The thin, leached soils of the south and east facing dip slope support a mosaic of dry heath and acidic grassland which is being invaded by pedunculate oak Quercus robur and silver birch Betula pendula. Ericaceous species include bell heather Erica cinerea, heather Calluna vulgaris, which is notable for the abundance of the hairy form var. hirsuta and a little bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus. Smaller areas of acidic grassland are dominated by wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa and common bent Agrostis capillaris with harebell Campanula rotundifolia and heath bedstraw Galium saxatile. Grey hair grass Corynephorus canescens, a rare grass of sand dunes on the east coast, grows on areas of bare sand and the edges of paths at the foot of the dip slope. The north west facing scarp slope is cooler and moister with better developed soils which have developed a pedunculate oak birch woodland providing an excellent contrast with the vegetation of the drier dip slope. The increased cover of bilberry is clearly in response to these conditions. The woodland is dominated by silver birch at the south end of the site with the greatest species diversity at the northern end. hazel Corylus avellana and rowan Sorbus aucuparia are present in the understorey whilst the ground flora reflects the acidic nature of the soils with wavy hair grass, creeping soft grass Holcus mollis, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, bramble Rubus fruticosus agg and bracken Pteridium aquilinum. In recent years the Lepidoptera have been well studied. Interesting species of the oak birch woodland include angle striped sallow Enargia paleacea and two southern species, red necked footman Atolmis rubricollis and waved black Parascotia fuliginaria. The heathland areas support anomalous Stilbia anomala, scarce footman Eilema complana at its only Staffordshire site, archer's dart Agrotis vestigialis which is normally found on coastal sand dunes and only rarely inland and annulet Charissa obscurata as the yellow form ab. argillacearia found in sandy areas. adder Vipera berus and common lizard Lacerta agilis have also been recorded from the heathland. Geology The Bridgnorth Sandstone of the Lower Permian is seen in superb three dimensional exposures at Vale's Rock, Nanny's Rock and Holy Austin Rock. The Bridgnorth Sandstone displays large scale, high angle cross bedding, indicating winds blowing mainly from the east during Permian times. A number of other characteristic aeolian features are well displayed making this an important site for the elucidation of Permian environments in the English Midlands.
Species mentioned
Show the 25 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bracken | Pteridium aquilinum | LC | fern | dennstaedtiaceae |
| common bent | Agrostis capillaris | LC | grass | poaceae |
| grey hair grass | Corynephorus canescens | NT | grass | poaceae |
| wavy hair grass | Deschampsia flexuosa | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| creeping soft grass | Holcus mollis | LC | grass | poaceae |
| harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | LC | herb | campanulaceae |
| heath bedstraw | Galium saxatile | LC | herb | rubiaceae |
| honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| bramble | Rubus fruticosus | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| Archer's dart | Agrotis vestigialis | Not listed in GB list | moth | noctuidae |
| red-necked footman | Atolmis rubricollis | Not listed in GB list | moth | erebidae |
| the annulet | Charissa obscurata | Not listed in GB list | moth | geometridae |
| scarce footman | Eilema complana | R | moth | erebidae |
| angle-striped sallow | Enargia paleacea | Not listed in GB list | moth | noctuidae |
| waved black | Parascotia fuliginaria | Not listed in GB list | moth | erebidae |
| the anomalous | Stilbia anomala | Not listed in GB list | moth | noctuidae |
| sand lizard | Lacerta agilis | EN | reptile | lacertidae |
| adder | Vipera berus | NT | reptile | viveridae |
| billberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| bell heather | Erica cinerea | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| birch | Betula pendula | LC | tree | betulaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| common oak | Quercus robur | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | LC | tree | rosaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria |
Critically Endangered | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Lonicera periclymenum, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp. |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| White admiral Limenitis camilla |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Erica cinerea, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp. |
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Betula pendula |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp. |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Galium spp. |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp. |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp. |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Galium spp. |
| Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| White prominent Leucodonta bicoloria |
Regionally Extinct | Betula spp. |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Plant communities
W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture
Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland
Matches 14 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Betula pendula, Calluna vulgaris, Campanula rotundifolia, Corylus avellana, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Galium saxatile, Holcus mollis, Lonicera periclymenum, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 106 indicator speciesAcer campestre, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Juniperus communis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum longisetum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila spinulosa, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Campanula rotundifolia, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria holostea, Pyrola minor, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum pulchrum, Ajuga reptans, Teucrium scorodonia, Convallaria majalis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina
W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture
Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland
Matches 13 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Betula pendula, Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Galium saxatile, Holcus mollis, Lonicera periclymenum, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 165 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Crataegus monogyna, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Andreaea rupestris, Mnium hornum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum scottianum, Leucobryum glaucum, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Eurhynchium striatum, Heterocladium heteropterum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium armoricum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sematophyllum demissum, Sematophyllum micans, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Tetraphis pellucida, Adelanthus decipiens, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Bazzania tricrenata, Bazzania trilobata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Harpanthus scutatus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Jungermannia gracillima, Lepidozia pearsonii, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Lophozia ventricosa, Marsupella emarginata, Microlejeunea ulicina, Mylia taylorii, Nowellia curvifolia, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila atlantica, Plagiochila killarniensis, Plagiochila porelloides, Plagiochila punctata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Ptilidium ciliare, Saccogyna viticulosa, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Scapania umbrosa, Tritomaria exsectiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia squamules, Cladonia subcervicornis, Parmelia saxatilis, Sphaerophorus fragilis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cornus suecica, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goodyera repens, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Polypodium vulgare, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina
W4 — Raised bog, Upland birch wood, Wet woodland
Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland
Matches 12 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Betula pendula, Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Deschampsia flexuosa, Galium saxatile, Holcus mollis, Lonicera periclymenum, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 101 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix aurita, Salix caprea, Salix cinerea, Salix pentandra, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Crataegus monogyna, Carex laevigata, Carex nigra, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus effusus, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus fluitans, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Straminergon stramineum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Cirsium palustre, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Menyanthes trifoliata, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium palustre, Oxalis acetosella, Rumex acetosa, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium saxatile, Galium uliginosum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris carthusiana, Dryopteris cristata, Dryopteris dilatata, Athyrium filix-femina
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Galium saxatile, Holcus mollis, Lonicera periclymenum, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas