Far Mains and Far Limekiln Close Meadows

Also within

North Yorkshire County YORKSHIRE DALES National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Area, 2.079 hectares 5.13 ac Description Far Mains and Far Limekiln Close Meadows, situated in Lower Wharfedale, are of importance for their herb rich grassland, the scientific interest of which has been maintained by the traditional practice of hay cropping and aftermath grazing without the use of artificial fertilisers. Two main grassland types occur; one is dominated by crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus, perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne and yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens while the other contains crested dog's tail, perennial ryegrass, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra and quaking grass Briza media. Herb species such as cowslip Primula veris, great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, hoary plantain P. media, red clover Trifolium pratense, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, common mouse ear Cerastium fontanum, common knapweed Centaurea nigra and lady's mantle Alchemilla xanthochlora occur commonly in both grassland community types. A notable feature of this meadow is the occurrence of both meadow and wood cranesbill Geranium pratense and Geranium sylvaticum in the sward, both herb species being particularly characteristic of old meadows.

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.