High Barn, Oxcombe
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TF321763 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.25 | 2011-08-31 |
| TF322767 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.25 | 2011-08-31 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Area,8.2 hectares 20.3 ac Description The unimproved chalk grassland covering the slopes of this dry valley is one of the best remaining examples of a species rich chalkland community once widespread over the Lincolnshire Wolds. The steepness of the valley sides has precluded the cultivation to which the surrounding area has been subject. The continuation of grazing at High Barn has perpetuated the site's botanical interest. The differing aspects and lengths of turf of the three slopes introduce considerable variation to the overall local dominance of upright brome Bromus erectus, tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum, sheeps fescue Festuca ovina, quaking grass Briza media and meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis. The south west facing slope has an abundance of wild thyme Thymus praecox, basil thyme Acinos arvensis, stemless thistle Cirsium acaule, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Amongst the typical chalk grassland plants frequent over the whole site are greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. The site is also notable for its abundance of butterflies.
Species mentioned
Show the 15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| meadow oat grass | Avenula pratensis | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| 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 |
| basil thyme | Acinos arvensis | Not listed in GB list | herb | lamiaceae |
| pyramidal orchid | Anacamptis pyramidalis | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | LC | herb | campanulaceae |
| greater knapweed | Centaurea scabiosa | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| dwarf thistle | Cirsium acaule | VU | herb | asteraceae |
| spotted orchids | Dactylorhiza fuchsii | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| autumn gentian | Gentianella amarella | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| burnet saxifrage | Pimpinella saxifraga | NT | herb | apiaceae |
| salad burnet | Poterium sanguisorba | VU | herb | rosaceae |
| creeping thyme | Thymus praecox | Not listed in GB list | herb | lamiaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Centaurea scabiosa |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp., Pimpinella saxifraga |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea scabiosa |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Swallowtail papilio Papilio machaon |
Near Threatened | Pimpinella saxifraga |
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.