Bank and Cother Wood
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO753470 | — | Favourable | 3.51 | 2015-05-19 |
| SO755467 | — | Favourable | 13.62 | 2009-11-27 |
| SO757463 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 1.65 | 2009-12-22 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 20.63 ha. 51 ac. Description An area of mixed woodland scrub and grassland situated on a ridge of Wenlock Limestone of the Silurian series lying on the north west flanks of the Malverns. Limestone grassland on the Silurian formations has always been limited in extent compared with those of other limestone formations. Modern agricultural developments have reduced these even further and only a few such sites now remain. The grassland together with its associated woodland and scrub habitat at Bank and Cother Woods is one of these and therefore has considerable importance for nature conservation both locally and nationally. The woodland which covers some of the western and all of the eastern slope of the ridge is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea and ash Fraxinus excelsior with a rich variety of other tree and shrub species associated with its markedly calcareous soils. These include yew Taxus baccata, wild cherry Prunus avium, field maple Acer campestre, wych elm Ulmus glabra and the uncommon wild service tree Sorbus torminalis. The shrub layer is equally diverse and includes hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and spindle Euonymus europaeus. The limestone grassland communities found in the south west and north west of the site are dominated by upright brome grass Bromopsis erecta with other calcicole grasses such as quaking grass Briza media, sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina and golden oat grass Trisetum flavescens. The herb species of the grassland include rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia and various orchids such as pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. The grassland in the northern part of the site has been densely colonised by calcareous scrub species such as dogwood Cornus sanguinea and privet Ligustrum vulgare. The richness of the botanical habitats is reflected in the diversity of insect life, particularly butterflies. The marbled white butterfly Melanargia galatheaa is found here at one of its few stations in the county.
Species mentioned
Show the 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Bromopsis erecta |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp. |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Onobrychis viciifolia |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
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 9 species from the description above: Bromopsis erecta, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Ligustrum vulgare, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra
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
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 2 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Corylus avellana
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 1 species from the description above: Festuca ovina
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