biological Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle of ...
in
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
, England, notified in 1985.Natural England SSSI information on the citation /ref> /ref>
Location and habitat
The site lies on the gravels of the Upper
Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...
basin. It is of significant importance as it contains two nationally rare plants as well as uncommon plants. It is grassland (as its name implies).Whelford Pools (part of the Cotswold Water Park SSSI) are nearby. These are owned and managed by the
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage. The Gl ...
as a nature reserve.
Flora
The meadow is dominated by species such as meadowsweet and
common couch
''Elymus repens'', commonly known as couch grass, is a very common perennial species of grass native to most of Europe, Asia, the Arctic biome, and northwest Africa. It has been brought into other mild northern climates for forage or erosion cont ...
. A number of different species of sedge have been record and these include the nationally rare downey-fruited sedge (''Carex tomentosa''). Orchids present include
southern marsh orchid
''Dactylorhiza praetermissa'', the southern marsh orchid or leopard marsh orchid, is a commonly occurring species of European orchid.
Description
''Dactylorhiza praetermissa'' grows to tall, with leaves generally unspotted. The flowers, appea ...
. Adder's tongue flourishes on this site. The meadow supports
fritillary
''Fritillaria'' (fritillaries) is a genus of spring flowering herbaceous bulbous perennial plants in the lily family (Liliaceae). The type species, ''Fritillaria meleagris'', was first described in Europe in 1571, while other species from the ...
which is nationally rare.
Birds
The margins of the meadow are scrubland and this area provides cover for breeding birds such as warblers.