Tyddyn-y-barcut
Also within
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone
Landscape processes: Glacial
Description
Description Tyddyn-y-barcut is a series of enclosed pastures close to the village of Hendre, approximately 7km west of Mold. The site is located on the north facingside of the valley and occurs on glacial drift over Carboniferous Limestone. It is of special interest for its stands of unimproved neutral grassland, which occur in association with broadleaved woodland, scrub and bracken. The neutral grassland is of high floristic quality with common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata and quaking-grass Briza media as the main grasses in the sward. Herbs are prominent, with abundant devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and common knapweed Centaurea nigra with frequent common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, betony Betonica officinalis, cowslip Primula veris, common spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii and tormentil Potentilla erecta. hawthorn Crataegus monogyna bushes are scattered across parts of the site and there are several areas of dense bracken Pteridium aquilinum. Ash Fraxinus excelsior woodland and blackthorn Prunus spinosa scrub occur in one enclosure. Within this enclosure toothwort Lathraea squamaria and herb-paris Paris quadrifolia are found, and small glades harbour meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulata. All three species are uncommon in the Clwyd Area of Search.
Species mentioned
Show the 22 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 |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula veris |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa |
| 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, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Pteridium aquilinum |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Succisa pratensis |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Potentilla erecta |
| Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Ranunculus spp. |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Large nutmeg Apamea anceps |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Lathyrus pratensis |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp., Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| 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 | 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
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 10 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Fraxinus excelsior, Holcus lanatus, Potentilla erecta, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Dactylis glomerata, Fraxinus excelsior, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum
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
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum
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
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca rubra, Ranunculus acris, Succisa pratensis
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