Frog End Meadow

Also within

Worcestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Sandstone

Description

Area, 1.5 ha. 3.7 ac. Description Frog End Meadow is a traditionally managed hay meadow near Tenbury Wells. It lies on neutral soils derived from the underlying Old Red Sandstone. This is a type of herb rich neutral grassland, characterised by crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and common knapweed Centaurea nigra, which is now nationally restricted. In addition to the characteristic meadow species a number of plants more typical of woodland also occur. The site also includes wetter areas dominated by rushes Juncus spp. The dominant grasses in the sward are red fescue Festuca rubra, common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and crested dog’s tail. Characteristic herbs of traditional hay meadows that are also present include cowslip Primula veris, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis and pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus. The meadow also has several species which are locally uncommon in Worcestershire such as dyer’s greenweed Genista tinctoria, adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. A particular feature of this meadow is the presence of a number of species more typical of woodlands. Wild daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus and bitter vetch Lathyrus montanus are abundant throughout the meadow. Other woodland species include common twayblade Neottia ovata, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa and bugle Ajuga reptans. The woodland species within the site make it most unusual in the context of the county since it contrasts with other hay meadows to the south where woodland species are largely absent. Some small wetter areas occur in the eastern part of the site. These are dominated by jointed rush Juncus articulatus with some compact rush Juncus conglomeratus. Other species associated with the damper conditions include lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica, greater bird’s foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus and ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi. The meadow is surrounded by hedges which contain pollarded trees of ash Fraxinus excelsior, alder Alnus glutinosa and willow Salix sp.

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.