Windmill Naps Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.3490, -1.8654

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Warwickshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SP092723 Favourable 37.21 2009-05-26

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

Description Windmill Naps Wood lies to the south of Birmingham on fluvio glacial sands, clays and gravels of Quarternary drift which overlies Keuper Marl. The wood contains two parcels of ancient semi natural woodland, Tylers Grove and Ladbrookpark Coppice, of a type now rare in lowland Britain, which are the reason for its notification. Windmill Naps Wood is an example of lowland mixed oak wood Quercus spp. where both sessile oak Quercus petraea and pedunculate oak Quercus robur are found. Two forms of this woodland are present and can be distinguished by the presence or absence of hazel Corylus avellana in the understorey. Other understorey species include silver birch Betula pendula and downy birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, holly Ilex aquifolium with occasional crab apple Malus sylvestris and alder buckthorn Frangula alnus. In Ladbrookpark Coppice there is a small group of wild service tree Sorbus torminalis which is rare in Warwickshire and confined to a few locations in the west of the county. The ground flora is strongly acidophilous acid loving and is dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and bracken Pteridium aquilinum with abundant bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum and creeping soft grass Holcus mollis. Wood sage Teucrium scorodonia, male fern Dryopteris filix-mas and two plants rare in Warwickshire, common cow wheat Melampyrum pratense and purple moor grass Molinia caerulea, are also present. In wetter parts of the wood a third woodland type can be distinguished by the presence of alder Alnus glutinosa with occasional ash Fraxinus excelsior, over a similar ground flora dominated by bramble. In Ladbrookpark Coppice an avenue of ornamental conifers and an area of rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum were planted in the 19th century.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
male fern Dryopteris filix-mas LC fern dryopteridaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
creeping soft grass Holcus mollis LC grass poaceae
purple moor grass Molinia caerulea LC grass poaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum LC herb caprifoliaceae
common cowwheat Melampyrum pratense VU herb orobanchaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Not listed in GB list herb rosaceae
wood sage Teucrium scorodonia LC herb lamiaceae
alder buckthorn Frangula alnus LC shrub rhamnaceae
rhodedendron Rhododendron ponticum Not listed in GB list shrub ericaceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
birch Betula pendula LC tree betulaceae
downy birch Betula pubescens LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
crab apple Malus sylvestris LC tree rosaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae

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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Molinia caerulea
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus petraea, Quercus robur
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Frangula alnus, Malus spp.
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Melampyrum pratense, Teucrium scorodonia
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Frangula alnus, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus fruticosus
Large heath
Coenonympha tullia
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Lonicera periclymenum, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Lonicera periclymenum
White admiral
Limenitis camilla
Vulnerable Lonicera periclymenum
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Rubus fruticosus
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Malus sylvestris, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia
Light crimson underwing
Catocala promissa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing
Catocala sponsa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa
Silver barred
Deltote bankiana
Near Threatened Molinia caerulea
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Common fan-foot
Pechipogo strigilata
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus petraea, Quercus robur
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

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 9 species from the description above: Dryopteris filix-mas, Fraxinus excelsior, Holcus mollis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lonicera periclymenum, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Rubus fruticosus agg., Teucrium scorodonia

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

M24 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow

Matches 3 species from the description above: Alnus glutinosa, Molinia caerulea, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Salix cinerea, Salix repens, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum subnitens, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Leontodon saxatilis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Drosera rotundifolia, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Hypericum undulatum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Linum catharticum, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Epipactis palustris, Gymnadenia conopsea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Galium verum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 2 species from the description above: Molinia caerulea, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

M22 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow

Matches 1 species from the description above: Molinia caerulea

Salix cinerea, Solanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex disticha, Carex elata, Carex flacca, Carex hirta, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Cratoneuron filicinum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Lophocolea bidentata, Angelica sylvestris, Berula erecta, Oenanthe lachenalii, Thyselium palustre, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria palustris, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin palustre, Ajuga reptans, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Epilobium parviflorum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Epipactis palustris, Pedicularis palustris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Scrophularia auriculata, Scutellaria galericulata, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Calamagrostis canescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Thelypteris palustris

M23 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland rush pasture

Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture

Matches 1 species from the description above: Molinia caerulea

Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rivulare, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Calypogeia fissa, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis secunda, Cardamine flexuosa, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Stellaria graminea, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium obscurum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica scutellata, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris expansa, Athyrium filix-femina

M26 — Limestone pavement, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Crepis paludosa mire

Matches 1 species from the description above: Molinia caerulea

Carex appropinquata, Carex disticha, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Aulacomnium palustre, Plagiomnium undulatum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Campylium elodes, Climacium dendroides, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium repens, Menyanthes trifoliata, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus auricomus, Trollius europaeus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis