Wildmoorway Meadows

51°40′30″N 1°54′19″W / 51.674881°N 1.905229°W / 51.674881; -1.905229InterestBiologicalArea12.6 hectareNotification1989Natural England website

Wildmoorway Meadows (grid reference SU066973) is a 12.6-hectare (31-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, to the east of Fairford, notified in 1989.^[1]^[2] The site is listed in the 'Cotswold District' Local Plan 2001-2011 (on line) as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).^[3]

Location and habitat

The site is between the River Churn and the disused Thames and Severn Canal. It is on the alluvium and gravels of the Thames floodplain. It is made up of a number of ancient, unimproved meadows and the old ridge and furrow remains visible. This is one of the largest remaining examples of its type in south-east Gloucestershire, and has been traditionally managed by hay cutting and grazing of stock.^[1]

Flora

The grassland species include Crested Dog's-tail, Common Knapweed. There is an abundance of Quaking Grass and Sweet Vernal-grass. The species count of grasses and sedges is significant (more than 20). Typical herbs associated with old meadows are plentiful including Cowslip, Betony, Pepper Saxifrage and Ox-eye Daisy. Orchids include the Green-winged Orchid.^[1]

Meadowsweet, Ragged-robin and Reed Canary-grass are recorded in the wet areas. Orchids include Southern Marsh Orchid.^[1]

There is some scrub and individual old trees, particularly Black poplar, are present in the hedgerows.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Natural England SSSI information on the citation
^ Cotswold District Local Plan, Appendix 1, Sites of Special Scientific Interest
^ Cotswold District Local Plan, Appendix 2, Key Wildlife Sites