Racecourse Farm Fields
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TF017042 | — | Not Assessed | 5.05 | 2024-06-25 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 4.6 hectares 11.4 ac Description A small meadow on the site of a former limestone quarry, comprising an excellent example of grazed Jurassic limestone grassland. This vegetation type is confined to the Cotswolds and a discrete part of the East Midlands. The short sward, produced by all year round grazing of sheep and cattle, shows interesting contrasts with the nearby Collyweston Quarries and Barnack Hills and Holes SSSIs. The sward is floristically rich, parts containing more than 30 flowering plant species in a square metre. Upright brome Bromus erectus, red fescue Festuca rubra, or tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum are the dominant grasses. Quaking grass Briza media, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha, sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina and glaucous sedge Carex flacca are abundant throughout. A number of county rarities and locally uncommon plants are present including rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria and dodder Cuscuta epithymum. Several small pits provide microclimatic and soil differences which extend the range of species and habitats; one pit has an exposure of geological interest.
Species mentioned
Show the 12 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 |
| quaking grass | Briza media | VU | grass | poaceae |
| upright brome | Bromus erectus | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| sheep's fescue | Festuca ovina | LC | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| crested hair-grass | Koeleria macrantha | NT | grass | poaceae |
| clustered bellflower | Campanula glomerata | VU | herb | campanulaceae |
| common dodder | Cuscuta epithymum | LC | herb | convolvulaceae |
| autumn gentian | Gentianella amarella | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| rock roses | Helianthemum nummularium | VU | herb | cistaceae |
| small scabious | Scabiosa columbaria | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| glaucus sedge | Carex flacca | LC | 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.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Least minor Photedes captiuncula |
Endangered | Carex flacca |
| Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Scabiosa columbaria |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Carex flacca, Festuca ovina |
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.