Puckham Woods
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP007216 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 8.14 | 2024-12-06 |
| SP008224 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 17.81 | 2024-12-06 |
| SP010215 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 6.34 | 2024-12-06 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 32.38 ha. 79.98 ac. Description This site is of special interest for its flower rich, ancient semi natural woodland and unimproved limestone grassland, which are representative of vegetation types much reduced by recent changes in land use and management. The site lies on the edge of the Cotswold scarp to the east of Cheltenham. It consists of two broadleaf woodlands and two unimproved pastures. The underlying geology is of the Jurassic period consisting of Inferior Oolite limestone with a narrow band of Fuller's Earthout cropping in the northern block of woodland. The woodlands are species rich ash – maple – dog’s mercury Fraxinus excelsior – Acer campestre – Mercurialis perennis plant communities. Such woodlands are scarce in the Cotswolds where beech Fagus sylvatica dominated woodland is more commonly encountered. Puckham Woods are also important as one of only a few woods of this type where past forestry practice has maintained a woodland composed of species native to the site. The general practice locally has been the conversion of such stands to broadleaf or conifer plantations. In addition to ash, the canopy includes pedunculate oak Quercus robur, silver birch Betula pendula, whitebeam Sorbus aria and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. In places the shrub layer retains a coppice structure, an unusual feature in woodlands of the Cotswolds. hazel Corylus avellana, is the dominant species with some field maple, wych elm Ulmus glabra, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, guelder rose Viburnum opulus and holly Ilex aquifolium. The ground flora is very rich with over twenty species indicative of ancient semi natural woodland. In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, a particular attribute of British woodlands in the European context. Dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, ramsons Allium ursinum, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and woodruff Galium odoratum are frequent. There is a colony of the nationally scarce angular solomon's seal Polygonatum odoratum and several uncommon species such as herb paris Paris quadrifolia, lily of the valley Convallaria majalis, greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha, wood vetch Vicia sylvatica and meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale. The unimproved pastures occupy moderately steep south to south east facing slopes. The grassland is a species rich upright brome – tor grass Bromus erectus – Brachypodium pinnatum plant community. Other characteristic grasses of the grazed sward include red fescue Festuca rubra, meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis and quaking grass Briza media. Herbs typical of this plant community are present including common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild thyme Thymus praecoxand salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba. Several orchid species are found here, namely pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and green winged orchid Anacamptis morio. The site also supports the nationally scarce bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum. Scrub, principally composed of hawthorn, has developed over parts of the grassland.
Species mentioned
Show the 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| 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., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Ulmus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Sorbus aucuparia |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| 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. |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Betula pendula |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Galium spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
| 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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 14 species from the description above: Allium ursinum, Betula pendula, Brachypodium pinnatum, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Ilex aquifolium, Mercurialis perennis, Poterium sanguisorba, Quercus robur, Sorbus aria, 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 5 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Festuca rubra, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis
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 rubra
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