Oridge Street Meadows
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO793278 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 2.62 | 2019-09-06 |
| SO793279 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 2.62 | 2019-09-06 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Floodplain · Geological Period: Triassic · Rock Type: Mudstone
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Oridge Street Meadows Description Oridge Street Meadows is of special interest for its nationally rare species-rich lowland meadow grassland. General description: Oridge Street Meadows SSSI consists of three small species-rich lowland meadows to the south of the village of Corse in Gloucestershire. Very few good quality examples of these grasslands remain in Gloucestershire. The meadows lie at about 30 metres above sea level, but out of the nearby River Severn floodplain. Two of the meadows lie south of a minor road, with the third to the north directly opposite. The soils are typical argillic pelosols derived from rocks of the Mercia Mudstone Group of the Triassic era. Characteristic grasses include common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, red fescue Festuca rubra and Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus. Common knapweed Centaurea nigra, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, cowslip Primula veris and common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus are frequent. Notable species include green winged orchid Anacamptis morio, bee orchid Ophrys apifera, common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus. There are recent records of adder’s-tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum in the fields. Species which indicate a calcareous influence include upright brome Bromopsis erecta, quaking-grass Briza media, glaucous sedge Carex flacca, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus and fairy flax Linum catharticum. There is also a small population of great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis. The hedgerows that surround and divide these fields are diverse and contain dogwood Cornus sanguinea, field maple Acer campestre, blackthorn Prunus spinosa, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, spindle Euonymus europaeus, English elm Ulmus procera, wild privet Ligustrum vulgare and some mature oak Quercus robur trees. Butterflies and day flying moths are common, including six spot burnet Zygaena filipendulae, ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus, meadow brown Maniola jurtina, marbled white Melanargia galatheaa, common blue Polyommatus icarus and large skipper Ochlodes sylvanus.
Species mentioned
Show the 36 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 | Lotus corniculatus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Linum catharticum, Lotus corniculatus |
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Bromopsis erecta |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula veris |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Least minor Photedes captiuncula |
Endangered | Carex flacca |
| Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus spp. |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp., Galium spp., Rhinanthus minor |
| 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 | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Cornus sanguinea, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Agrimonia eupatoria |
| Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus procera |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp. |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Galium spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| 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 |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| 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
MG5 — Lowland meadow and pasture, Traditional orchard
Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland
Matches 16 species from the description above: Agrimonia eupatoria, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Galium verum, Holcus lanatus, Leontodon hispidus, Lotus corniculatus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Primula veris, Rhinanthus minor, Silaum silaus
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
MG4 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture
Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland
Matches 15 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Galium verum, Holcus lanatus, Leontodon hispidus, Lotus corniculatus, Primula veris, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Silaum silaus
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
MG8 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture
Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland
Matches 12 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Leontodon hispidus, Lotus corniculatus, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis
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
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
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
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
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