Cog Moors
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Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Alluvium
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description Cog Moors is situated approximately 2 km east of Barry and consists of a series of fields adjacent to Sully Brook. The fields are low-lying (around 5 m above sea level) on flat ground, with gleyed soils over alluvium. They are separated by ditches or deep drains and are generally poorly drained. This site is of special interest for its large continuous area of damp mesotrophic (neutral) semi-natural grassland, which is associated with several stands of tall sedges, and for populations of two uncommon plant species. Cog Moors supports an extensive area of relatively unimproved species rich grassland, which was traditionally managed for hay. Grassland of particular interest is characterised by common knapweed Centaurea nigra, crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus, common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus and meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis. Other distinctive species found at Cog Moors include pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus and meadow barley Hordeum secalinum. The fields have a distinctive damp floristic element, typically comprising amphibious bistort Persicaria amphibia, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and lesser pond-sedge Carex acutiformis. Grassland in the north western field occurs in association with stands of swampy vegetation, dominated in different patches by large sedges: slender tufted-sedge Carex acuta, greater pond-sedge Carex riparia and lesser pond-sedge. Cog Moors supports two species of special interest. These are the nationally scarce bulbous foxtail Alopecurus bulbosus, found in the wetter areas of grassland, and the large population of pepper saxifrage, a species close to the edge of its range here. Cog Moors also supports populations of several species which are uncommon in Glamorgan including brown sedge Carex disticha, adder’s-tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum and green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio.
Species mentioned
Show the 15 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adders-tongue fern | Ophioglossum vulgatum | LC | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| bulbous foxtail | Alopecurus bulbosus | VU | grass | poaceae |
| crested dog's tail | Cynosurus cristatus | LC | grass | poaceae |
| meadow barley | Hordeum secalinum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| green-winged orchid | Anacamptis morio | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| black knapweed | Centaurea nigra | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| meadow sweet | Filipendula ulmaria | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| meadow vetchling | Lathyrus pratensis | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| birdsfoot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| amphibious bistort | Persicaria amphibia | LC | herb | polygonaceae |
| pepper saxifrage | Silaum silaus | EN | herb | saxifragaceae |
| slender tufted sedge | Carex acuta | VU | sedge | cyperaceae |
| lesser pond sedge | Carex acutiformis | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| brown sedge | Carex disticha | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| greater pond sedge | Carex riparia | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
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.
| 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 |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Filipendula ulmaria |
| Blair's wainscot Sedina buettneri |
Endangered | Carex acutiformis |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Lathyrus pratensis |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Cynosurus cristatus |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp. |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
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.