Bell Sykes Meadows

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.9694, -2.4318

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (2) Favourable (4)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SD716523 Unfavourable Recovering 2.09 2023-02-03
SD717524 Unfavourable Recovering 1.3 2023-02-03
SD717529 Favourable 2.76 2021-03-29
SD718525 Favourable 1.44 2021-03-29
SD718526 Favourable 2.99 2021-03-29
SD718527 Favourable 3.22 2021-03-29

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Alluvium, Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Description Bell Sykes Meadows lies at an altitude of between 140 to 150 metres OD, approximately 0.5 kilometres north east of the village of Slaidburn. The site consists of six fields of unimproved, enclosed, herb rich grassland. The river alluvium of the flatter ground close to the River Hodder supports three fields of herb rich flood meadow. The field on the higher ground to the east supports herb rich northern hay meadow, whilst the leached soils overlying carboniferous limestone on the west facing slope supports two fields of herb rich seasonally grazed pasture. Bell Sykes Meadows is one of the few remaining unimproved herb rich grasslands present in this part of Lancashire. This vulnerable habitat has become increasingly scarce nationally and has been largely destroyed in Lancashire due to agricultural intensification. The seasonally flooded meadows support a herb rich, neutral grassland community, typical of its type in northern England. This community is characterised by meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra, soft brome Bromus hordeaceus and crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus with greater burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, lady’s mantle Alchemilla glabra, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, eyebright Euphrasia agg, smooth hawk’s beard Crepis capillaris and pignut Conopodium majus. Other species present also include abundant ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, red clover Trifolium pratense, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, daisy Bellis perennis and common sorrel Rumex acetosa. The diversity of these meadows is further enhanced by the presence of meadow cranesbill Geranium pratense and melancholy thistle Cirsium heterophyllum along the field edges. The west facing, sloping ground supports herb rich meadow and, on the steeper ground, herb rich pasture. These are characterised by common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass, red fescue, crested dog’s tail and field wood rush Luzula campestris with greater burnet, lady’s mantle, eyebright, yellow rattle, pignut, common cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata, common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and selfheal Prunella vulgaris. The pasture on the steeper ground, which supports a mosaic of neutral and acidic grassland, is also characterised by sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina, tormentil Potentilla erecta, heath bedstraw Galium saxatile and bitter vetch Lathyrus montanus. A small amount of woodland and scrub is also present on the site.

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
meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
soft brome Bromus hordeaceus LC grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
lady's mantle Alchemilla glabra LC herb rosaceae
daisy Bellis perennis LC herb asteraceae
melancholy thistle Cirsium heterophyllum LC herb asteraceae
pignut Conopodium majus LC herb apiaceae
smooth hawk's beard Crepis capillaris LC herb asteraceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
heath bedstraw Galium saxatile LC herb rubiaceae
meadow cranesbill Geranium pratense LC herb geraniaceae
cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata LC herb asteraceae
bitter vetchling Lathyrus montanus Not listed in GB list herb fabaceae
meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis LC herb fabaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LC herb plantaginaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
selfheal Prunella vulgaris LC herb lamiaceae
meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris DD herb ranunculaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
common sorrel Rumex acetosa LC herb polygonaceae
great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis LC herb rosaceae
red clover Trifolium pratense LC herb fabaceae
field wood rush Luzula campestris LC rush juncaceae

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 Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Marsh moth
Athetis pallustris
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Filipendula ulmaria, Rumex acetosa
Fiery clearwing
Pyropteron chrysidiformis
Endangered Rumex acetosa
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Rumex spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Filipendula ulmaria, Galium spp., Rhinanthus minor
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp., Rumex spp., Trifolium spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Ranunculus spp., Rumex spp., Trifolium spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Plantago lanceolata, Rumex spp.
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp., Rumex spp.
Latticed heath
Chiasmia clathrata
Near Threatened Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium spp.
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Rumex spp.
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
The Silurian
Eriopygodes imbecilla
Near Threatened Galium saxatile
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Festuca ovina, Galium spp., Plantago spp., Rumex spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crepis spp.
Broad-barred white
Hecatera bicolorata
Near Threatened Crepis capillaris, Crepis spp.
Silver-spotted skipper
Hesperia comma
Near Threatened Festuca ovina
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Festuca ovina
Red carpet
Xanthorhoe decoloraria
Near Threatened Alchemilla spp.
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

MG3 — Northern hay meadow

Anthoxanthum odoratum-Geranium sylvaticum grassland

Matches 23 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Alchemilla glabra, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bellis perennis, Cirsium heterophyllum, Conopodium majus, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus montanus, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Luzula campestris, Plantago lanceolata, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Rumex acetosa, Sanguisorba officinalis, Trifolium pratense

Carex caryophyllea, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium heterophyllum, Crepis paludosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis discolor, Cardamine pratensis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus montanus, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium medium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium sylvaticum, Ajuga reptans, Thymus praecox, Orchis mascula, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla acutiloba, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla glomerulans, Alchemilla monticola, Alchemilla subcrenata, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla wichurae, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Saxifraga granulata, Viola lutea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 10 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Alchemilla glabra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium saxatile, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Rumex acetosa

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa

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

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 1 species from the description above: Holcus lanatus

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

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