Robbinetts

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.9735, -1.2687

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SK492420 Unfavourable Recovering 6.31 2013-07-01

Description

Description This site contains one of the best examples of acidic grassland in the county. Its mosaic of grassland types, varying in wetness and acidity is typical of the West Nottinghamshire Coal Measures which now support few remaining areas of unimproved grassland. Biological Interest The grassland varies in its character within the site. On free draining acidic slopes, the turf is dominated by sheep's fescue Festuca ovina and common bent Agrostis capillaris with sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and heath grass Danthonia decumbens. Associated with these grasses are heath bedstraw Galium saxatile, bitter vetch Lathyrus montanus, tormentil Potentilla erecta, sheep's sorrel Rumex acetosella and harebell Campanula rotundifolia. Dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria, devil's bit Succisa pratensis and betony Betonica officinalis also occur. On flatter, damper areas carnation sedge Carex panicea is frequent. Mosses such as Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme and Polytrichum juniperinum are locally abundant as is the lichen Cladonia rangiformis. In some areas, the swards are rather more neutral and more fertile. Here crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus, cock's foot Dactylis glomerata and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus predominate with accompanying herbs such as hardheads Centaurea nigra, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and red clover Trifolium pratense. In the valley of a small stream, subject to periodic inundation, the sward is dominated by creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera with large amounts of creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens and frequent curled dock Rumex crispus. Scrub is scattered on the drier ground and is largely composed of hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. with a small amount of broom Cytisus scoparius and black thorn Prunus spinosa.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
heath grass Danthonia decumbens NT grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
betony Betonica officinalis VU herb lamiaceae
harebell Campanula rotundifolia LC herb campanulaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
heath bedstraw Galium saxatile LC herb rubiaceae
dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria LC herb fabaceae
bitter vetchling Lathyrus montanus Not listed in GB list herb fabaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens LC herb ranunculaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Not listed in GB list herb rosaceae
sheep's sorrel Rumex acetosella NT herb polygonaceae
curled doc Rumex crispus LC herb polygonaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
red clover Trifolium pratense LC herb fabaceae
coral moss Cladonia rangiformis LC lichen no common name
broom fork moss Dicranum scoparium LC moss dicranales
Cyprus leaved plait moss Hypnum cupressiforme LC moss hypnales
juniper hair cap Polytrichum juniperinum LC moss polytrichales
carnation sedge Carex panicea NT sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
broom Cytisus scoparius LC shrub fabaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub 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
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Centaurea nigra, Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus
Fiery clearwing
Pyropteron chrysidiformis
Endangered Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Cytisus scoparius, Rubus fruticosus, Rumex spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Galium spp.
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Rumex spp., Trifolium spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca ovina
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Cytisus scoparius, Lotus corniculatus
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Cytisus scoparius, Genista tinctoria
Brown hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Ranunculus spp., Rumex spp., Trifolium spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Rumex spp.
Large nutmeg
Apamea anceps
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa, Rumex spp.
Broom-tip chesias
Chesias rufata
Near Threatened Cytisus scoparius
Latticed heath
Chiasmia clathrata
Near Threatened Trifolium spp.
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Rumex spp.
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The Silurian
Eriopygodes imbecilla
Near Threatened Galium saxatile
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Cytisus scoparius, Festuca ovina, Galium spp., Rumex spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa
Silver-spotted skipper
Hesperia comma
Near Threatened Festuca ovina
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium spp., Rumex 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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 8 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Campanula rotundifolia, Dicranum scoparium, Festuca ovina, Galium saxatile, Hypnum cupressiforme, Succisa pratensis

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Ranunculus repens, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa