Cwrt y Bela a Springdale

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.6975, -2.8550

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Gwent County

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Devonian, Silurian · Rock Type: Mudstone

Description

Description Cwrt y Bela a Springdale is of special interest for its exceptionally large area of species-rich neutral grassland and for a population of chaffweed Centunculus minimus. Cwrt y Bela a Springdale is situated three km to the east of Usk, in rolling countryside above the River Usk Valley. It is made up of more than 30 individual fields with associated hedgerows, broadleaved woodland and scrub. The altitude ranges from 40m to 150m and the fields have a variety of aspects. Springs and issues arising within the site feed small tributaries of the River Usk. Much of the bedrock consists of mudstones and siltstones (with occasional limestones) of the Raglan Mudstone Formation, formed during the Silurian period. This is overlain in the north and east of the site by younger sandstones of the St Maughan’s Formation, dating from the Devonian period. Soils are of the Milford Association and are reddish, fine, loamy typical brown earths, permeable and well-drained. The species-rich neutral grassland is distinguished by frequent common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus and common knapweed Centaurea nigra, with grasses such as common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus and red fescue Festuca rubra. Glaucous sedge Carex flacca is generally frequent in the north of the site and spring sedge Carex caryophyllea also occurs. Typical flowering plants include cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata, lesser hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris and red clover Trifolium pratense. Other species present more locally are common spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus and yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor ssp. minor. In places throughout the site a particularly species-rich form occurs, marked by the presence of heath-grass Danthonia decumbens and tormentil Potentilla erecta. Several other species are associated with this sub-community, including an eyebright Euphrasia officinalis ssp. rostkoviana, lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica, burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, common milkwort Polygala vulgaris and devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis. In some localities the grassland is influenced by water seeping through the soil, and these areas are distinguished by damp-loving plants such as sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus, greater bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus and lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula. In certain areas, where the soils are more base-rich, agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, quaking-grass Briza media and fairy flax Linum catharticum occur. Cwrt y Bela a Springdale supports populations of several uncommon plants. Of particular note is a colony of chaffweed Centunculus minimus, a plant which is rare in South East Wales and declining in Britain. There is an unusually large population of dyer’s greenweed Genista tinctoria and smaller populations of dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule and autumn lady’s-tresses Spiranthes spiralis. Remarks: Part of the site, Springdale, is a nature reserve of the Gwent Wildlife Trust.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
heath grass Danthonia decumbens NT grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria LC herb rosaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
chaffweed Centunculus minimus Not listed in GB list herb primulaceae
dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule VU herb asteraceae
spotted orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii LC herb orchidaceae
English sticky eyebright Euphrasia officinalis LC herb orobanchaceae
dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria LC herb fabaceae
cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata LC herb asteraceae
rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus LC herb asteraceae
lesser hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis LC herb asteraceae
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare LC herb asteraceae
fairy flax Linum catharticum LC herb linaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
greater bird's-foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus LC herb fabaceae
lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica NT herb orobanchaceae
burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga NT herb apiaceae
common milkwort Polygala vulgaris VU herb polygalaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris DD herb ranunculaceae
bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus LC herb ranunculaceae
lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula DD herb ranunculaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
autumn lady's tresses Spiranthes spiralis LC herb orchidaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
red clover Trifolium pratense LC herb fabaceae
sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus LC rush juncaceae
spring-sedge Carex caryophyllea NT sedge cyperaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca 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.

SpeciesStatusVia 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
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Rhinanthus minor
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 Agrimonia eupatoria, Potentilla erecta
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Genista tinctoria
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., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Centaurea spp., Pimpinella saxifraga
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp.
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca
Swallowtail papilio
Papilio machaon
Near Threatened Pimpinella saxifraga

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 8 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Euphrasia officinalis, Festuca rubra, Ranunculus acris, Rhinanthus minor, Succisa pratensis

Salix 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 2 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra

Hedera 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

Isolepis 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

Berula 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

Fontinalis 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

Schoenoplectus 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

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera 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