Ullenhall Meadows

Also within

Warwickshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Area, 2.7 ha. 6.7 ac. Description Ullenhall Meadows comprise two enclosed fields on neutral soils which slope gently towards the stream which separates them. These are examples of species rich neutral grassland, being characterised by common knapweed Centaurea nigra and crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus. There is also marshy grassland in areas of impeded drainage typified by abundant Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and rushes Juncus spp. Unimproved neutral meadows are scarce in Warwickshire and these are good examples particularly rich in associated species. These include red fescue Festuca rubra, quaking grass Briza media, common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, betony Betonica officinalis and autumnal hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis. Other meadow species include cowslip Primula veris, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, saw wort Serratula tinctoria, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor and dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria. Three orchid species are recorded, common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, heath spotted orchid Dactylorhiza maculata spp. ericetorum and common twayblade Neottia ovata. The marshy grassland has developed along drainage lines originating from a spring fed pond. Here typical species are jointed rush Juncus articulatus, cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis, ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi and hairy sedge Carex hirta. The small stream which divides the site is moderately fast flowing and is bordered by alder Alnus glutinosa, ash Fraxinus excelsior and guelder rose.

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