Common Hill
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO581347 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 2.07 | 2012-08-03 |
| SO582350 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 3.22 | 2012-06-19 |
| SO583349 | — | Favourable | 0.79 | 2021-05-20 |
| SO583350 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 3.22 | 2012-06-19 |
| SO584348 | — | Favourable | 0.27 | 2012-06-19 |
| SO585349 | — | Favourable | 2.06 | 2012-06-19 |
| SO586347 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.74 | 2012-07-20 |
| SO588346 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.74 | 2012-07-20 |
| SO590347 | — | Favourable | 0.74 | 2023-03-22 |
| SO591346 | — | Favourable | 0.74 | 2023-03-22 |
| SO592346 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.74 | 2012-07-20 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Carboniferous, Silurian · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Chalk, Limestone
Description
Area, 12.6 ha. 31.1 ac. Description The site occupies a narrow ridge overlooking the Wye Valley. The ridge is composed of Silurian Wenlock Limestone and Ludlow Shales which have given rise to freely drained, calcareous soils. The site is important for its semi natural woodland, unimproved grassland and invertebrate fauna. The ancient broadleaved woodland contains a mosaic of four types of woodland which are of restricted national distribution. The dominant tree species is ash Fraxinus excelsior associated with sessile oak Quercus petraea, silver birch Betula pendula and wild cherry Prunus avium. Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis and yew Taxus baccata are locally abundant. A few specimens of the nationally scarce large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos are present in the central part of the wood. The shrub layer contains coppiced hazel Corylus avellana, field maple Acer campestre and sessile oak as well as several typical calcicole lime loving species such as wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, spindle Euonymus europaeus, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and spurge laurel Daphne laureola. In areas where the soils are less well drained oak and ash are associated with wych elm Ulmus glabra. This type of woodland is only found on Silurian Limestones in the West Midlands. The ground flora is dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus, ivy Hedera helix, false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum and dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis. The nationally scarce stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus is present in the wood along with several locally uncommon species such as greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha, broad leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine and stinking iris Iris foetidissima. There are scattered remnants of unimproved grassland as well as an old limestone quarry with associated spoil heaps, which have a rich flora. These limestone grasslands are of particular interest as their plant communities form an important link between those of the Oolitic limestone of the Cotswolds and the Carboniferous Limestone of the Wye Valley and South Wales. The grassland at Common Hill is one of the few remaining examples in Herefordshire. The sward is dominated by upright brome Bromus erectus associated with sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina, quaking grass Briza media and yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens. Many of the herbs found here are uncommon in the county, including woolly thistle Cirsium eriophorum, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, marjoram Origanum vulgare, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata and common gromwell Lithospermum officinale. Some areas of grassland have been invaded by scrub such as wayfaring tree, dogwood and wild privet Ligustrum vulgare. The site supports a rich invertebrate fauna. Butterflies include the locally uncommon brown argus Aricia argestis, dingy skipper Erynnis tages, marbled white Melanargia galatheaa and three nationally scarce species, wood white Leptidea sinapis, pearl bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne and white-letter hairstreak Strymondia w album. Three nationally scarce moths also occur, six belted clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis, Cistus forester Adscita geryon and Stigmella prunetorum. The grasslands support glow worm beetles Lampyris noctiluca which are restricted to areas of chalk or limestone.
Species mentioned
Show the 38 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Black-veined moth Siona lineata |
Critically Endangered | Origanum vulgare |
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Prunus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Prunus spp. |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus spp., Viburnum lantana |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pendula, Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| 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. |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Betula pendula |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Tilia spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Festuca ovina |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina, Iris foetidissima |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
| 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: Betula pendula, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Hedera helix, Iris foetidissima, Ligustrum vulgare, Mercurialis perennis, Origanum vulgare, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Viburnum lantana
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, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Hedera helix, 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 ovina
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