The Bottoms

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.7390, -1.4388

Also within

Durham County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (4)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ361382 Unfavourable Declining 2.19 2023-08-22
NZ362380 Unfavourable Declining 2.19 2023-08-22
NZ362383 Unfavourable Declining 2.19 2023-08-22
NZ363377 Unfavourable Declining 2.19 2023-08-22

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Description The interest at The Bottoms consists of unimproved Magnesian Limestone grassland on the slopes of the dry valley near Old Thornley. Due to the limited distribution of Magnesian Limestone nationally, grasslands on this substrate are naturally scarce and have been further fragmented due to agricultural intensification and quarrying activities. Of the variety of grassland communities which occur on the Magnesian Limestone those characterised by blue moor grass Sesleria caerulea with small scabious Scabiosa columbaria are the most notable and are completely restricted to County Durham. The grasslands at The Bottoms are typical of this type. The steep slopes are dominated by a mixture of grasses. Blue moor grass is dominant throughout much of the site, with meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis, quaking grass Briza media, cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata, sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina and crested hairgrass Koeleria macrantha all frequent. Other grasses include downy oat grass Avenula pubescens, crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa. A profusion of broad leaved herbs also occur with harebell Campanula rotundifolia, glaucous and spring sedges Carex flacca and Carex caryophyllea, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, mouse ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum, fairy flax Linum catharticum, common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, small scabious, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, cowslip Primula veris and wild thyme Thymus polytrichus all prominent. Less common species include common milkwort Polygala vulgaris, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, hairy violet Viola hirta and common dog violet and Viola riviniana. A small population of purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus also occurs, a characteristic local rarity on the Magnesian Limestone. Scattered scrub, principally of gorse Ulex europaeus and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna occurs throughout the site.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
downy oat grass Avenula pubescens LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha NT grass poaceae
blue moor grass Sesleria caerulea LC grass poaceae
purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus EN herb fabaceae
harebell Campanula rotundifolia LC herb campanulaceae
carline thistle Carlina vulgaris LC herb asteraceae
lady's bedstraw Galium verum LC herb rubiaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
fairy flax Linum catharticum LC herb linaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
mouse_ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum LC herb asteraceae
burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga NT herb apiaceae
common milkwort Polygala vulgaris VU herb polygalaceae
salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba VU herb rosaceae
cowslip Primula veris LC herb primulaceae
small scabious Scabiosa columbaria LC herb caprifoliaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
wild thyme Thymus polytrichus Not listed in GB list herb lamiaceae
hairy violet Viola hirta LC herb violaceae
common dog violet Viola riviniana LC herb violaceae
spring-sedge Carex caryophyllea NT sedge cyperaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae

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
High brown fritillary
Fabriciana adippe
Critically Endangered Viola hirta, Viola riviniana
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Linum catharticum, Lotus corniculatus
Pearl-bordered fritillary
Boloria euphrosyne
Endangered Viola riviniana
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 Lotus corniculatus
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Crataegus spp.
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca, Sesleria caerulea
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus, Poterium sanguisorba
Northern brown
Aricia artaxerxes
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Scabiosa columbaria, Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium
White-line dart
Euxoa tritici
Vulnerable Galium verum
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium, Lotus corniculatus, Ulex spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Poterium sanguisorba
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Ulex europaeus
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Large nutmeg
Apamea anceps
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
Small pearl-bordered
Boloria selene
Near Threatened Viola riviniana
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Crataegus spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Festuca ovina, Galium spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Pimpinella saxifraga
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Crataegus spp.
Silver-spotted skipper
Hesperia comma
Near Threatened Festuca ovina
Silky wave
Idaea dilutaria
Near Threatened Helianthemum nummularium
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Dactylis glomerata
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina
The blackneck
Lygephila pastinum
Near Threatened Astragalus spp.
Swallowtail papilio
Papilio machaon
Near Threatened Pimpinella saxifraga
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium 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 6 species from the description above: Campanula rotundifolia, Carex flacca, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Succisa pratensis, Viola riviniana

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 4 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Poterium sanguisorba, Viola riviniana

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 3 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Ulex europaeus, Viola riviniana

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