Fferm Walters
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Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic, Triassic · Rock Type: Limestone, Mudstone, Siltstone
Description
Description Fferm Walters is of special interest for its exceptionally large area of species-rich neutral grassland, most of which has a particularly calcicolous nature and is one of the rarest types of grassland in Wales. Part of this grassland is undergoing restoration. The grassland is associated with woodland, hedgerows and scrub and smaller areas of damp grassland. Fferm Walters comprises a series of fields on the western edge of Barry. It occupies a shallow valley through which a small stream flows in a westerly direction to join the River Waycock. The fields are therefore situated on gentle slopes with a range of aspects, primarily south-west and north-west facing. They range in altitude from 40 to 85 m. The site overlies thinly inter-bedded limestone and calcareous mudstone or siltstone of the Lias group, formed during the late Triassic and early Jurassic period. Soils are of the Denchworth Association and are wet clayey, slowly permeable and seasonally waterlogged. The site includes three separate areas of species-rich neutral grassland, amounting to approximately six hectares in total. Between and linking these fields are others which are, at present, in the process of recovery following ploughing and re-seeding in 2013. The species-rich grassland is characterised by a range of grasses such as common bent Agrostis capillaris; sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus, with herbs such as common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus; red clover Trifolium pratense and bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus. Common knapweed Centaurea nigra is often frequent. The calcareous nature of the soils at Fferm Walters is demonstrated by the presence of a suite of plants typical of such situations. These include quaking grass Briza media; glaucous sedge Carex flacca; agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria; lady’s bedstraw Galium verum; spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa and hoary plantain Plantago media. More locally within the site yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens; fairy flax Linum catharticum and ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare occur. Certain species reflect the heavy clay soils. These include creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera; meadow barley Hordeum secalinum; hoary ragwort Senecio erucifolius and spiny restharrow. Small areas of damp grassland are dominated by hard rush Juncus inflexus with species such as hairy sedge Carex hirta; false fox-sedge Carex otrubae; creeping bent; greater birds-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus; meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and water mint Mentha aquatica. Several uncommon plants occur at Fferm Walters. Spiny restharrow; meadow barley and pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus are plants of southern lowland Britain which, in Wales, are most common in the Vale of Glamorgan. A small population of parsley water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii is present in the damp grassland. Remarks: Fferm Walters is adjacent to part of Coedydd Y Barri/Barry Woodlands SSSI.
Species mentioned
Show the 26 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 |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Filipendula ulmaria |
| 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 | Plantago spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Galium spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp., Trifolium spp. |
| White-line dart Euxoa tritici |
Vulnerable | Galium verum |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus, Ononis spp. |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Agrimonia eupatoria |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Ranunculus spp., Trifolium spp. |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Mentha spp. |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp. |
| Latticed heath Chiasmia clathrata |
Near Threatened | Trifolium spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Galium spp., Plantago spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Centaurea spp. |
| Scarce forester Jordanita globulariae |
Near Threatened | Centaurea nigra |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Agrostis spp. |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Carex flacca |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Galium 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.
Plant communities
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 4 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Filipendula ulmaria
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 2 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Filipendula ulmaria
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
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Mentha aquatica
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
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
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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
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