Maes Hiraddug
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Alluvium, Glacial Till, Limestone
Landscape processes: Fluvial, Glacial
Description
Description Maes Hiraddug is of special interest for its unimproved neutral grassland vegetation, which occurs in association with some small patches of woodland and scrub. Maes Hiraddug is situated on flat to gently undulating ground located on the eastern outskirts of Dyserth and is approximately 1Km to the north of Moel Hiraddug. The site is 85 m above sea level and comprises three enclosures which straddle a disused railway cutting. The site is underlain by rocks of the Dyserth Limestone group which is part of the Lower Carboniferous Series. The limestone is largely obscured by superficial deposits, mostly glacial till, but there is an area of glacial sands in the eastern section of the site with some alluvium alongside the river. Although the majority of the underlying soil is brown earth and circumneutral, there is evidence of some base enrichment of the soil locally. The majority of the grassland, particularly in the eastern two fields, is dominated by common bent Agrostis capillaris, red fescue Festuca rubra and crested dogs-tail Cynosurus cristatus, although cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus and yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens are all present at low cover. Herbs are particularly well represented within the turf, the most prominent species include common knapweed Centaurea nigra, common birds-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus and red clover Trifolium pratense. Species such as quaking-grass Briza media, glaucous sedge Carex flacca, agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, cowslip Primula veris, fairy flax Linum catharticum and yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata are also present within the sward which indicates that there is some base enrichment of the underlying soil. The uncommon plant species, pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus, spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa and bee orchid Ophrys apifera are also found within this grassland. Two of the fields, especially the western-most, support stands of rank grassland which is dominated by the grasses cock’s foot, false oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius and tall fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus with associated herbs such as common knapweed and meadow vetchling. Sections of the eastern most field have undergone some agricultural modification resulting in areas of improved grassland dominated by the grasses perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne and crested dog’s tail. All three enclosures are surrounded by stands of scrub and broad-leaved woodland, the dominant canopy species being ash Fraxinus excelsior with some sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, whilst hawthorn Crataegus monogyna is the dominant shrub species. Remarks: The eastern most field and the middle field of Maes Hiraddug are both located within the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Species mentioned
Show the 27 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 |
| 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 |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Lotus corniculatus |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Crataegus spp. |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Trifolium spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior |
| Morris's wainscot Photedes morrisii |
Vulnerable | Schedonorus arundinaceus |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus, Ononis spp. |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Agrimonia eupatoria |
| 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, Ranunculus spp., Trifolium spp. |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Large nutmeg Apamea anceps |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Trifolium spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Crataegus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp. |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Arrhenatherum elatius, Carex flacca, Dactylis glomerata |
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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Arrhenatherum elatius, Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Fraxinus excelsior, Holcus lanatus
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera 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
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Festuca rubra, Ranunculus acris
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix 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 4 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera 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
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