Barbadoes Hill Meadows
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Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Sandstone
Description
Description Barbadoes Hill Meadows is of special interest for its species-rich neutral grassland. The site is situated immediately north of Tintern Parva village, 7 km north of Chepstow, on the western side of the Wye Valley. Barbadoes Hill Meadows comprises four steeply-sloping fields, with a predominantly north-easterly aspect, at an altitude of between 110 and 160 m. The underlying geology is Tintern Sandstone (Upper Old Red Sandstone) and the soils are coarse loamy typical brown earths. The species rich neutral grassland is characterised by a high herb cover, including frequent common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus and eyebright Euphrasia sp. In addition, red clover Trifolium pratense, autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis and meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris are scattered throughout. A particularly noticeable feature of the meadows is the widespread abundance of devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis throughout all four fields. Typically, the most frequent grasses are red fescue Festuca rubra, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and common bent grass Agrostis capillaris. The neutral grassland in the most eastern field displays a variation of this community, with species including frequent tormentil Potentilla erecta and occasional pignut Conopodium majus. The site also supports a population of the greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha, an uncommon and declining grassland plant. Remarks: This site lies within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Species mentioned
Show the 13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| common bent | Agrostis capillaris | LC | grass | poaceae |
| sweet vernal grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| black knapweed | Centaurea nigra | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| pignut | Conopodium majus | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| rough hawkbit | Leontodon hispidus | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| birdsfoot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| greater butterfly orchid | Platanthera chlorantha | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| tormentil | Potentilla erecta | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| meadow buttercup | Ranunculus acris | DD | herb | ranunculaceae |
| greater hawkbit | Scorzoneroides autumnalis | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| devils-bit scabious | Succisa pratensis | VU | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| red clover | Trifolium pratense | LC | herb | fabaceae |
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 | Lotus corniculatus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Succisa pratensis |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | 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. |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Trifolium spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Festuca spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp. |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis 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.