Hembury Woods
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX722684 | — | Favourable | 28.07 | 2009-07-28 |
| SX728686 | — | Favourable | 95.83 | 2009-07-23 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian
Description
Hembury Woods SSSI Description The site includes good examples of semi-natural oak woodland and is representative of oak-woods developed on soils derived from the rocks of western and northern Britain. Also included are examples of valley alder wood and unimproved heathy grassland. It is an important entomological site. Hembury Woods lies on the slopes and the intervening plateau of two valleys cut by the River Dart and its tributary the Holy Brook. Soils are derived from the shales, slates and grits of the upper Devonian and Carboniferous Culm Measures. The site has an altitudinal range of from 60–178 metres. The majority of the woodland is dominated by pedunculate oak Quercus robur, with silver birch Betula pendula also present. The understorey comprises mainly common gorse Ulex europaeus, holly Ilex aquifolium and locally, hazel Corylus avellana, with a vigorous development of woody climbers and ramblers, notably ivy Hedera helix, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum and bramble Rubus fruticosus. The ground vegetation is characterised by the abundance of bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, great woodrush Luzula sylvatica, wood sage Teucrium scorodonia, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and common cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense and also by the presence of climbing corydalis Corydalis claviculata. Adjacent to the River Dart a strip of valley alder wood occurs and here oak again dominates but alder Alnus glutinosa is common and there is a rich ground flora which includes wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides, primrose Primula vulgaris, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, ramsons Allium ursinum and an abundance of wild daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus. The royal fern Osmunda regalis occurs locally. The trunks and branches of the trees and shrubs support a diverse lichen flora. A lichen of restricted occurrence, Phlyctis agelaea, occurs on beech Fagus sylvatica, with Pannari sampaiana, a lichen of very rare occurrence in England, also recorded. Other habitats present include scrub, heath, bracken and herb-rich heathy pasture. The pasture is dominated by bristle bent Agrostis curtisii and the sward is also characterised by the abundance of heath-grass Danthonia decumbens, carnation sedge Carex panicea, pill sedge Carex pilulifera, autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis, fairy flax Linum catharticum and tormentil Potentilla erecta and by the presence of carline thistle Carlina vulgaris and wild thyme Thymus polytrichus. Shrubs such as gorse and bell heather Erica cinerea, also occur. The variety of habitats supports a rich invertebrate fauna and the site is an important entomological locality. Of additional interest are two mining adits adjacent to the River Dart which are used as winter roosts by small numbers of greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus hipposideros.
Species mentioned
Show the 36 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects 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 | Agrostis curtisii, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Linum catharticum |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula vulgaris |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Erica cinerea |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Melampyrum pratense, Teucrium scorodonia |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Lonicera periclymenum, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Agrostis curtisii |
| White admiral Limenitis camilla |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Erica cinerea |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Erica cinerea, Ulex spp. |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus |
| Lead belle Scotopteryx mucronata |
Vulnerable | Ulex europaeus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., 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., Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| 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 |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Erica cinerea |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Erica cinerea, Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp. |
| 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 |
| 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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 11 species from the description above: Allium ursinum, Anemone nemorosa, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Ilex aquifolium, Lonicera periclymenum, Quercus robur, Teucrium scorodonia
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 9 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Fagus sylvatica, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lonicera periclymenum, Potentilla erecta, Quercus robur, Teucrium scorodonia, Ulex europaeus
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
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Corylus avellana, Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lonicera periclymenum, Teucrium scorodonia, Ulex europaeus
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 3 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Luzula sylvatica, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa