Mappp.co - Hillend Meadow & Orchard

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Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)

Unit	Feature	Condition	Area (ha)	Assessed
SO749610	—	Favourable	0.74	2012-06-21

Habitats

Traditional orchard

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Geological Fault · Geological Period: Silurian

Description

Description Hillend Meadow and Orchard is situated in West Worcestershire, just over one kilometre north of Martley and is the westernmost meadow of the Severn Valley grasslands. The meadow and orchard overlie the Lower Ludlow Shales where there is a fault line abutting against the Silurian Wenlock Shales. Thus despite the thin limestones of the Lower Ludlow Shales, the grassland is unusual in being mesotrophic neutral. The geological fault line is probably marked by the spring fed pool found at the top of the site. The site slopes gently to the south west and has an area of pasture with a fenced off orchard to the south east. The majority of the site is cut for hay, although it is lightly grazed by donkeys all year round. Hay is cut in small areas at intervals once the flowers have set seed with natural reseeding from the cut hay. The special interest of the site lies in the diversity of the semi natural grassland sward. The vegetation conforms with the mesotrophic neutral grassland characterised by crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and common knapweed Centaurea nigra and is typical of the meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis sub community. Dominant grasses are red fescue Festuca rubra and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, with glaucous sedge Carex flacca. The associated flora includes common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, cowslip Primula veris, betony Betonica officinalis, lady’s mantle Alchemilla filicaulis spp vestita, common centaury Centaurium erythraea and common fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica. The locally uncommon adder’s tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum is present. The ditch flora is also of considerable interest including brooklime Veronica beccabunga, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum, greater bird’s foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus and three different mints including peppermint Mentha x piperita. Mature hybrid black poplar Popular canadensis var. serotina pollards, ash pollards Fraxinus excelsior and guelder rose Viburnum opulus occur along the line of the ditch. The site is bounded by species rich hedges on three sides, with hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, silver birch Betula pendula, hazel Corylus avellana and spindle Euonymus europaeus. The grassland also supports the dark bush cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera and common blue butterfly Polyommatus icarus, while slow worm Anguis fragilis, grass snake Natrix natrix, common frog Rana temporaria and common toad Bufo bufo occur in the wetter southern area.

Species mentioned

Show the 30 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
common toad	Bufo bufo	NT	amphibian	buffonidae
common frog	Rana temporaria	LC	amphibian	ranidae
dark bush-cricket	Pholidoptera griseoaptera	LC	bush cricket	tettigoniidae
common blue	Polyommatus icarus	LC	butterfly	lycaenidae
adders-tongue fern	Ophioglossum vulgatum	LC	fern	ophioglossaceae
crested dog's tail	Cynosurus cristatus	LC	grass	poaceae
red fescue	Festuca rubra	LC	grass	poaceae
Yorkshire fog	Holcus lanatus	LC	grass	poaceae
lady's mantle	Alchemilla filicaulis	VU	herb	rosaceae
betony	Betonica officinalis	VU	herb	lamiaceae
black knapweed	Centaurea nigra	LC	herb	asteraceae
common centuary	Centaurium erythraea	LC	herb	gentianaceae
spotted orchids	Dactylorhiza fuchsii	LC	herb	orchidaceae
great willowherb	Epilobium hirsutum	LC	herb	onagraceae
meadow sweet	Filipendula ulmaria	LC	herb	rosaceae
meadow vetchling	Lathyrus pratensis	LC	herb	fabaceae
greater bird's-foot trefoil	Lotus pedunculatus	LC	herb	fabaceae
peppermint	Mentha x piperita	Not listed in GB list	herb	lamiaceae
cowslip	Primula veris	LC	herb	primulaceae
fleabane	Pulicaria dysenterica	LC	herb	asteraceae
brooklime	Veronica beccabunga	LC	herb	plantaginaceae
slow worm	Anguis fragilis	LC	reptile	anguididae
grass snake	Natrix natrix	Not listed in GB list	reptile	lacertidae
glaucus sedge	Carex flacca	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	LC	shrub	rosaceae
spindle tree	Euonymus europaeus	LC	shrub	celastraceae
gelder rose	Viburnum opulus	LC	shrub	caprifoliaceae
birch	Betula pendula	LC	tree	betulaceae
hazel	Corylus avellana	LC	tree	corylaceae
ash	Fraxinus excelsior	LC	tree	oleaceae

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
New forest Zygaena viciae	Critically Endangered	Lathyrus pratensis
Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala	Endangered	Crataegus spp.
The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia	Endangered	Crataegus monogyna
Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina	Endangered	Primula veris
Wood white Leptidea sinapis	Endangered	Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus
Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens	Endangered	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Filipendula ulmaria
Least minor Photedes captiuncula	Endangered	Carex flacca
Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis	Vulnerable	Crataegus spp.
The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior
Broom moth Ceramica pisi	Vulnerable	Betula spp.
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp.
Dingy skipper Erynnis tages	Vulnerable	Lotus pedunculatus
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria
Grayling Hipparchia semele	Vulnerable	Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii	Vulnerable	Epilobium spp.
The lackey Malacosoma neustria	Vulnerable	Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna
Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria	Vulnerable	Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Crataegus monogyna
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
Grey chi Antitype chi	Near Threatened	Crataegus monogyna, Mentha spp.
Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata	Near Threatened	Lathyrus pratensis
Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus	Near Threatened	Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Kentish glory Endromis versicolora	Near Threatened	Betula pendula
Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus 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.
Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata	Near Threatened	Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna, Pulicaria dysenterica
Double dart Graphiphora augur	Near Threatened	Betula spp., Crataegus spp.
Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae	Near Threatened	Centaurea nigra
Wall Lasiommata megera	Near Threatened	Holcus lanatus
Rosy minor Litoligia literosa	Near Threatened	Carex flacca
Red carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria	Near Threatened	Alchemilla 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 9 species from the description above: Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Lathyrus pratensis, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Primula veris

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

W24 — Traditional orchard

Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub

Matches 9 species from the description above: Centaurea nigra, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Epilobium hirsutum, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Fraxinus excelsior, Holcus lanatus, Lathyrus pratensis

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

MG6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Traditional orchard

Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland

Matches 5 species from the description above: Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lathyrus pratensis

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