Mappp.co - Ranters Bank Pastures

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Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)

Unit	Feature	Condition	Area (ha)	Assessed
SO722749	—	Unfavourable Recovering	2.11	2017-03-06

Habitats

Traditional orchard

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Carboniferous

Description

Description Ranters Bank is a traditionally managed small holding located in north Worcestershire, within the dispersed Worcestershire village of Far Forest, Rock. The pastures slope to the west towards the Lem Brook, which forms the county boundary with Shropshire. The site overlies the Upper Carboniferous Coal Measures, which give rise to neutral to acidic soils. The special interest of this site lies in the diversity of the semi natural grassland sward which has been maintained under traditional management by light grazing. The dominant vegetation is mesotrophic neutral grassland characterised by common knapweed Centaurea nigra and crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, a nationally scarce and declining grassland type. The proximity of Ranters Bank to the Wyre Forest is likely to provide an important wood edge habitat. The northern pasture conforms to the heath grass Danthonia decumbens sub community, dominated by common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens and red fescue Festuca rubra. Abundant herbs in the sward include common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, cowslip Primula veris, pignut Conopodium majus and devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis, with burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii and rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus all occurring frequently. The acidic nature of the sward is demonstrated by the presence of lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica, tormentil Potentilla erectand betony Betonica officinalis. There is also a woodland influence with bugle Ajuga reptans and bitter vetch Lathyrus montanus both present. The pasture contains a number of locally uncommon species, including lady’s mantle Alchemilla filicaulis ssp. vestita and heath spotted orchid Dactylorhiza maculata. The southern pasture, which includes an old cherry orchard Prunus avium, conforms to the meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis sub community with characteristic species including frequent yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, pignut, black medick Medicago lupulina, meadow vetchling, tufted vetch Vicia cracca and lady’s bedstraw Galium verum. An additional feature of value is that the field boundaries are formed by species rich hedges with ash Fraxinus excelsior, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana and small trees, particularly damsons Prunus domestica. A small area of woodland adjoining the brook forms part of the boundary of the northern field, containing ash, birch Betula pendula and alder Alnus glutinosa. The invertebrate fauna of the grassland is rich and includes the locally uncommon dingy skipper Erynnis tages, plus meadow brown Maniola jurtina and ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus butterflies.

Species mentioned

Show the 38 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
ringlet	Aphantopus hyperantus	LC	butterfly	nymphalidae
dingy skipper	Erynnis tages	LC	butterfly	hesperiidae
meadow brown	Maniola jurtina	LC	butterfly	nymphalidae
common bent	Agrostis capillaris	LC	grass	poaceae
sweet vernal grass	Anthoxanthum odoratum	LC	grass	poaceae
crested dog's tail	Cynosurus cristatus	LC	grass	poaceae
heath grass	Danthonia decumbens	NT	grass	poaceae
red fescue	Festuca rubra	LC	grass	poaceae
yellow oat grass	Trisetum flavescens	LC	grass	poaceae
bugle	Ajuga reptans	LC	herb	lamiaceae
lady's mantle	Alchemilla filicaulis	VU	herb	rosaceae
betony	Betonica officinalis	VU	herb	lamiaceae
black knapweed	Centaurea nigra	LC	herb	asteraceae
pignut	Conopodium majus	LC	herb	apiaceae
spotted orchids	Dactylorhiza fuchsii	LC	herb	orchidaceae
heath spotted orchid	Dactylorhiza maculata	LC	herb	orchidaceae
lady's bedstraw	Galium verum	LC	herb	rubiaceae
bitter vetchling	Lathyrus montanus	Not listed in GB list	herb	fabaceae
meadow vetchling	Lathyrus pratensis	LC	herb	fabaceae
rough hawkbit	Leontodon hispidus	LC	herb	asteraceae
oxeye daisy	Leucanthemum vulgare	LC	herb	asteraceae
birdsfoot trefoil	Lotus corniculatus	LC	herb	fabaceae
black medick	Medicago lupulina	LC	herb	fabaceae
lousewort	Pedicularis sylvatica	NT	herb	orobanchaceae
burnet saxifrage	Pimpinella saxifraga	NT	herb	apiaceae
cowslip	Primula veris	LC	herb	primulaceae
damson	Prunus domestica	LC	herb	rosaceae
yellow-rattle	Rhinanthus minor	DD	herb	orobanchaceae
common sorrel	Rumex acetosa	LC	herb	polygonaceae
devils-bit scabious	Succisa pratensis	VU	herb	caprifoliaceae
tufted vetch	Vicia cracca	LC	herb	fabaceae
hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	LC	shrub	rosaceae
alder	Alnus glutinosa	LC	tree	salicaceae
birch	Betula pendula	LC	tree	betulaceae
hazel	Corylus avellana	LC	tree	corylaceae
ash	Fraxinus excelsior	LC	tree	oleaceae
holly	Ilex aquifolium	LC	tree	aquifoliaceae
wild cherry	Prunus avium	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.

Species	Status	Via host-plant
Black-veined moth Siona lineata	Critically Endangered	Centaurea nigra, Lotus corniculatus
New forest Zygaena viciae	Critically Endangered	Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria	Endangered	Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina
Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala	Endangered	Crataegus spp., Prunus spp.
The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia	Endangered	Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp.
Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina	Endangered	Primula veris
Wood white Leptidea sinapis	Endangered	Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Vicia cracca
Scarce blackneck Lygephila craccae	Endangered	Vicia cracca
Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens	Endangered	Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Rumex acetosa
Fiery clearwing Pyropteron chrysidiformis	Endangered	Rumex acetosa
Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni	Endangered	Prunus domestica
Slender scotch Zygaena loti	Endangered	Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis	Vulnerable	Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus
The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spp.
Broom moth Ceramica pisi	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Rumex spp.
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp.
Dingy skipper Erynnis tages	Vulnerable	Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia	Vulnerable	Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Centaurea spp., Galium spp., Rhinanthus minor
Garden dart Euxoa nigricans	Vulnerable	Rumex spp.
White-line dart Euxoa tritici	Vulnerable	Galium verum
Grayling Hipparchia semele	Vulnerable	Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii	Vulnerable	Galium spp.
The lackey Malacosoma neustria	Vulnerable	Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp.
Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria	Vulnerable	Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus domestica
Silver studded blue Plebejus argus	Vulnerable	Lotus corniculatus
Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae	Vulnerable	Prunus domestica
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Crataegus monogyna, Prunus domestica
Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna
Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria	Vulnerable	Betula pendula
Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna
Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna, Rumex spp.
Grey chi Antitype chi	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna, Rumex spp.
Garden tiger Arctia caja	Near Threatened	Rumex spp.
Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata	Near Threatened	Lathyrus pratensis, Vicia cracca
The sallow Cirrhia icteritia	Near Threatened	Rumex spp.
Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia	Near Threatened	Alnus glutinosa
Kentish glory Endromis versicolora	Near Threatened	Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula
Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria	Near Threatened	Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Prunus spp.
September thorn Ennomos erosaria	Near Threatened	Betula spp.
Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria	Near Threatened	Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Galium spp., Rumex spp.
Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata	Near Threatened	Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna, Pimpinella saxifraga
Double dart Graphiphora augur	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Crataegus spp.
Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae	Near Threatened	Centaurea nigra
Wall Lasiommata megera	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp.
The blackneck Lygephila pastinum	Near Threatened	Vicia cracca
Swallowtail papilio Papilio machaon	Near Threatened	Pimpinella saxifraga
Red carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria	Near Threatened	Alchemilla spp.
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata	Near Threatened	Galium spp., Rumex spp.
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

MG5 — Lowland meadow and pasture, Traditional orchard

Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland

Matches 19 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Conopodium majus, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca rubra, Galium verum, Lathyrus pratensis, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Pimpinella saxifraga, Primula veris, Rhinanthus minor, Rumex acetosa, Succisa pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Vicia cracca

Show 81 indicator species

Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Colchicum autumnale, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Chara curta

MG6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Traditional orchard

Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland

Matches 11 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago lupulina, Pimpinella saxifraga, Rhinanthus minor, Rumex acetosa, Trisetum flavescens

Show 53 indicator species

Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens

W24 — Traditional orchard

Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub

Matches 10 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Festuca rubra, Fraxinus excelsior, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trisetum flavescens

Show 82 indicator species

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Solanum dulcamara, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Anthriscus sylvestris, Chaerophyllum temulentum, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Achillea millefolium, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Alliaria petiolata, Cerastium fontanum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis perennis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Stachys sylvatica, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium montanum, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Cruciata laevipes, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Trisetum flavescens, Dryopteris filix-mas