Hucclecote Meadows

Hucclecote Meadows (grid reference SO872163) is a 5.74-hectare (14.2-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest divided into two areas on each side of the M5 road in the Severn Vale, Gloucestershire. It was notified in 1984.[1][2][3][4] The western area is also a Local Nature Reserve.[5][6]

Hucclecote Meadows
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Example - corky-fruited water dropwort (Oenanthe pimpinelloides)
Location within Gloucestershire
Area of SearchGloucestershire
Grid referenceSO872163
Coordinates51.845601°N 2.186486°W / 51.845601; -2.186486
InterestBiological
Area5.74 hectare
Notification1984
Natural England website

Location and use

The site is on the outskirts of Gloucester City, and is made up of a series of lowland meadows overlying Lower Lias clays. They are one of the few remaining areas of herb rich ancient pastures in Gloucestershire. They have been traditionally managed for hay, and cattle and sheep grazing.[2]

Flora

The species are abundant with variations from one meadow to the next. At the time of citation the meadows were reported as supporting some 75 meadow species, including some rarities such as corky-fruited water dropwort. The main grasses found are Yorkshire fog, meadow fescue, crested dog's-tail and meadow foxtail. The general meadow species found include great burnet, cowslip, devil's-bit scabious, saw-wort, lady's bedstraw and yellow rattle.[2]

The meadows are bordered by very old hedges of hawthorn and blackthorn, which include some hedgerow trees such as oak.[2]

Invertebrates

The range of butterflies recorded includes meadow brown, marbled white, common blue, grizzled skipper and the small heath butterfly.[2]

References
  1. "Map of Hucclecote Meadows". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England.
  2. Natural England SSSI information on the citation
  3. Stroud District Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 ‘Sites of Nature Conservation Interest’ Archived 2012-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Tewkesbury Borough Local Plan to 2011, adopted March 2006, Appendix 3 'Nature Conservation', Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  5. "Hucclecote Meadow". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England.
  6. "Map of Hucclecote Meadow". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England.

SSSI Source


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