Mappp.co - Wakerley Spinney

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Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (2)

Unit	Feature	Condition	Area (ha)	Assessed
SP964986	—	Unfavourable Recovering	4.22	2011-09-26
SP965985	—	Unfavourable Recovering	0.18	2016-06-22

Habitats

Lowland meadow and pasture

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Description A small strip of native broadleaved woodland and semi natural grassland among extensive softwood plantations. The site is part ancient a relic of the Royal Forest of Rockingham and part secondary, where woodland has developed on old limestone workings. The canopy represents a modified example of wet ash maple woodland the commonest stand type in the East Midlands and is notable for the presence of wild service tree Sorbus torminalis a species of very localised and southern distribution. The woodland ground flora contains several species which, in a Northamptonshire context, are mainly restricted to the north east of the county. The grassland is of a type which is rare and declining nationally. The canopy is mainly dominated by pedunculate oak Quercus robur, ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, with downy birch Betula pubescens an important constituent. The shrub layer is varied with both common and midland hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata, hazel Corylus avellana, field maple Acer campestre, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and crab apple Malus sylvestris. The herb layer is typically bramble Rubus fruticosus, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis and grasses such as wood meadow grass Poa nemoralis and wood melick Melica uniflora. Locally uncommon species include woodruff Galium odoratum, violet helleborine Epipactis purpurata, fly orchid Ophrys insectifera and wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides. The value of the site is enhanced by a glade and roadside verges with species rich grassland of a Jurassic Oolitic limestone type. The sward is dominated by tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and other grasses and includes the following herbs, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, wild liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos, rest-harrow Ononis repens and marjoram Origanum vulgare. These grassland areas are also attractive to butterflies and other insects.

Species mentioned

Show the 24 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
tor grass	Brachypodium pinnatum	LC	grass	poaceae
wood melick	Melica uniflora	NT	grass	poaceae
wood meadow grass	Poa nemoralis	LC	grass	poaceae
wild liquorice	Astragalus glycyphyllos	NT	herb	fabaceae
violet helleborine	Epipactis purpurata	LC	herb	orchidaceae
wood spurge	Euphorbia amygdaloides	LC	herb	euphorbiaceae
woodruff	Galium odoratum	LC	herb	rubiaceae
rock roses	Helianthemum nummularium	VU	herb	cistaceae
dog's mercury	Mercurialis perennis	LC	herb	euphorbiaceae
common rest-harrow	Ononis repens	VU	herb	fabaceae
fly orchid	Ophrys insectifera	VU	herb	orchidaceae
wild marjoram	Origanum vulgare	LC	herb	lamiaceae
salad burnet	Poterium sanguisorba	VU	herb	rosaceae
bramble	Rubus fruticosus	LC	herb	rosaceae
dogwood	Cornus sanguinea	LC	shrub	cornaceae
midland hawthorn	Crataegus laevigata	LC	shrub	rosaceae
hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	LC	shrub	rosaceae
field maple	Acer campestre	LC	tree	aceraceae
sycamore	Acer pseudoplatanus	Not listed in GB list	tree	aceraceae
downy birch	Betula pubescens	LC	tree	betulaceae
hazel	Corylus avellana	LC	tree	corylaceae
ash	Fraxinus excelsior	LC	tree	oleaceae
crab apple	Malus sylvestris	LC	tree	rosaceae
common oak	Quercus robur	LC	tree	fagaceae

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
Black-veined moth Siona lineata	Critically Endangered	Origanum vulgare
Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta	Endangered	Quercus robur
Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala	Endangered	Crataegus spp.
Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata	Endangered	Acer campestre
The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia	Endangered	Crataegus monogyna, Malus spp.
Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens	Endangered	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis	Vulnerable	Crataegus spp., Poterium sanguisorba
Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Broom moth Ceramica pisi	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Rubus fruticosus
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp.
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium
Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii	Vulnerable	Galium spp.
The lackey Malacosoma neustria	Vulnerable	Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria	Vulnerable	Betula pubescens, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Silver studded blue Plebejus argus	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium, Ononis spp.
Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae	Vulnerable	Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Malus sylvestris, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria	Vulnerable	Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna
Grey chi Antitype chi	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna
Rest harrow Aplasta ononaria	Near Threatened	Ononis repens
Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa	Near Threatened	Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa	Near Threatened	Quercus robur
Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus	Near Threatened	Poa spp.
Heart moth Dicycla oo	Near Threatened	Quercus robur
Kentish glory Endromis versicolora	Near Threatened	Betula pubescens
Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria	Near Threatened	Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn Ennomos erosaria	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria	Near Threatened	Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Galium spp.
Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna
Double dart Graphiphora augur	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Quercus spp.
Silky wave Idaea dilutaria	Near Threatened	Helianthemum nummularium
The blackneck Lygephila pastinum	Near Threatened	Astragalus glycyphyllos, Astragalus 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.
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

MG5 — Lowland meadow and pasture, Traditional orchard

Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland

Matches 1 species from the description above: Poterium sanguisorba

Show 81 indicator species

Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Colchicum autumnale, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Chara curta

MG4 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland

Show 71 indicator species

Carex acutiformis, Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium elatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sepium, Fritillaria meleagris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anglica, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Chara curta

MG8 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland

Show 70 indicator species

Carex demissa, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium rostratum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea ptarmica, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Mentha aquatica, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Glyceria declinata, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Dryopteris expansa