Little Scrubbs Meadow

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.2543, -0.2824

Also within

Lincolnshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TF146744 Unfavourable No Change 1.74 2024-11-15

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
cuckoo Unknown
nightingale Breeding

Description

Description: Little Scrubbs Meadow is an outstanding example of an unimproved neutral grassland, supporting plant communities typical of calcareous clay and loam soils. Such grassland communities are now rare in the East Midlands as they are particularly vulnerable to agricultural improvement. A wide range of grasses occurs within the site, including red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and locally abundant tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa and velvet bent Agrostis canina. Associated herbs include common knapweed Centaurea nigra, Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, field wood rush Luzula campestris, tormentil Potentilla erecta, betony Betonica officinalis, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis and green winged orchid Anacamptis morio. The wet soils support several sedges such as lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis, distant sedge Carex distans, pale sedge C. pallescens and carnation sedge C. panicea. Herbs typical of the wetter areas include sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis and water avens Geum rivale. An unusual feature for this area is the presence of purple moor grass Molinia caerulea. Drier areas support plants characteristic of loamy soils, such as lady's bedstraw Galium verum, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens. The meadow is an important stronghold for the populations of two butterflies now very scarce in Lincolnshire and its scrubby margins attract nesting nightingale.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos VU (Breeding) bird-robin muscicapidae
velvet bent Agrostis canina LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
purple moor grass Molinia caerulea LC grass poaceae
yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens LC grass poaceae
sneezewort Achillea ptarmica LC herb asteraceae
green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio NT herb orchidaceae
betony Betonica officinalis VU herb lamiaceae
cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis LC herb brassicaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
lady's bedstraw Galium verum LC herb rubiaceae
water avens Geum rivale LC herb rosaceae
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare LC herb asteraceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba VU herb rosaceae
great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis LC herb rosaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
field wood rush Luzula campestris LC rush juncaceae
lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis LC sedge cyperaceae
distant sedge Carex distans VU sedge cyperaceae

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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Centaurea nigra
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Molinia caerulea
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Filipendula ulmaria
Blair's wainscot
Sedina buettneri
Endangered Carex acutiformis
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Poterium sanguisorba
Large heath
Coenonympha tullia
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Galium spp.
White-line dart
Euxoa tritici
Vulnerable Galium verum
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa, Molinia caerulea
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Silver barred
Deltote bankiana
Near Threatened Molinia caerulea
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Galium spp.
Tawny speckled
Eupithecia icterata
Near Threatened Achillea ptarmica
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp.
Bordered pug
Eupithecia succenturiata
Near Threatened Achillea ptarmica
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium 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

M22 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow

Matches 13 species from the description above: Achillea ptarmica, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cardamine pratensis, Carex acutiformis, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis

Salix cinerea, Solanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex disticha, Carex elata, Carex flacca, Carex hirta, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Cratoneuron filicinum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Lophocolea bidentata, Angelica sylvestris, Berula erecta, Oenanthe lachenalii, Thyselium palustre, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria palustris, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin palustre, Ajuga reptans, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Epilobium parviflorum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Epipactis palustris, Pedicularis palustris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Scrophularia auriculata, Scutellaria galericulata, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Calamagrostis canescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Thelypteris palustris

M23 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland rush pasture

Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture

Matches 13 species from the description above: Achillea ptarmica, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cardamine pratensis, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Luzula campestris, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis

Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rivulare, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Calypogeia fissa, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis secunda, Cardamine flexuosa, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Stellaria graminea, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium obscurum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica scutellata, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris expansa, Athyrium filix-femina

M24 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow

Matches 13 species from the description above: Achillea ptarmica, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium verum, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis

Salix cinerea, Salix repens, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum subnitens, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Leontodon saxatilis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Drosera rotundifolia, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Hypericum undulatum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Linum catharticum, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Epipactis palustris, Gymnadenia conopsea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Galium verum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 13 species from the description above: Achillea ptarmica, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Luzula campestris, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

M26 — Limestone pavement, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Crepis paludosa mire

Matches 11 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Succisa pratensis

Carex appropinquata, Carex disticha, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Aulacomnium palustre, Plagiomnium undulatum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Campylium elodes, Climacium dendroides, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium repens, Menyanthes trifoliata, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus auricomus, Trollius europaeus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis