Hallam Barn Grasslands
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK189833 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 5.02 | 2023-10-26 |
Description
Description Hallam Barn Grasslands SSSI is a nationally important site for its lowland unimproved neutral grassland, comprising the nationally scarce National Vegetation Classification NVC type MG5 crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus – common knapweed Centaurea nigra grassland. General description The site consists of two small fields managed as either meadow or pasture lying on claysoils on the outskirts of the village of Aston above the River Noe in the Hope Valley. Much of the site comprises agriculturally unimproved, species rich grassland characterised by a diverse and rich range of native grasses and herbs. Grasses such as red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, common bent Agrostis capillaris, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum all occur in abundance. Present throughout is a diverse range of characteristic herbs which include a high frequency of meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, common cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare and yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor. Tormentil Potentilla erecta occurs more locally, with common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii occurring frequently in places. The southern section of the site is wetter where a small stream separates the two fields. Rushes are locally dominant in this area, with other locally abundant species including glaucous sedge Carex flacca, greater bird’s foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus, selfheal Prunella vulgaris and floating sweet grass Glyceria fluitans. Additional species such as ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi, great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, lesser trefoil Trifolium dubium and wild angelica Angelica sylvestris have also been recorded here.
Species mentioned
Show the 24 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects 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 |
| Marsh moth Athetis pallustris |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Glanville fritillary Melitaea cinxia |
Endangered | Plantago lanceolata |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Filipendula ulmaria |
| Least minor Photedes captiuncula |
Endangered | Carex flacca |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Rhinanthus minor |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp., Trifolium spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Potentilla erecta |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Ranunculus spp., Trifolium spp. |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Plantago lanceolata |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp. |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp. |
| Brindled ochre Dasypolia templi |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris, Centaurea spp. |
| White-spotted pug Eupithecia tripunctaria |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Carex flacca |
| Swallowtail papilio Papilio machaon |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
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 17 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Trifolium dubium
Show 81 indicator speciesCarex 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
MG8 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture
Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland
Matches 17 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Angelica sylvestris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi
Show 70 indicator speciesCarex demissa, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium rostratum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea ptarmica, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Mentha aquatica, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Glyceria declinata, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Dryopteris expansa
MG4 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture
Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland
Matches 16 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Trifolium dubium
Show 71 indicator speciesCarex acutiformis, Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium elatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sepium, Fritillaria meleagris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anglica, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Chara curta
MG6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Traditional orchard
Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland
Matches 12 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Trifolium dubium
Show 53 indicator speciesJuncus 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, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Ranunculus acris
Show 82 indicator speciesHedera 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
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Glyceria fluitans
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis 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
Matches 1 species from the description above: Glyceria fluitans
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus 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
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis 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
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans