Aubert Ings

Also within

North Yorkshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Area, 10.64 hectares 26.31 ac Description Aubert Ings comprises an area of unimproved neutral grassland close to the village of Cattal and within a meander of the River Nidd. The main grass species are sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, false oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius quaking grass Briza media and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus. The herb flora includes abundant greater burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, knapweed Centaurea nigra, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, field scabious Knautia arvensis and salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba. Of particular interest is the presence of clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, early purple orchid Orchis mascula, cowslip Primula veris, meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale, wild tulip Tulipa sylvestris and abundant wood anemone Anemone nemorosa. The traditional management of this ings land for the production of an annual hay crop is all important in maintaining the nature conservation interest. Other Information The importance of this site is such that although not included in 'A Nature Conservation Review' at the time of its publication, it has nevertheless since been recognised as an integral part of the nationally important neutral grassland series listed in that publication.

Species mentioned

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.

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