Owston Hay Meadows

Also within

South Yorkshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Alluvium, Limestone

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Area, 5.5 hectares 13.5 ac Description Owston Hay Meadows are situated eight kilometres north of Doncaster close to the eastern edge of the Magnesian limestone escarpment in South Yorkshire. The site is low lying, being less than 15 metres above sea level and the soils are a near neutral silty clay alluvium subject to high groundwater levels and with naturally poor drainage. This is the second most important example of neutral grassland, hay meadow, habitat in South Yorkshire; the Went Ings Meadows SSSI contain the best example of this habitat in the county. The site comprises three small fields which have traditionally been managed for hay with autumn grazing. Under this form of management a rich assemblage of plants has been retained with over 90 species recorded. The grasses, Yorkshire fog, perennial rye grass, red fescue and yellow oat grass are dominant within the sward but species such as sweet vernal grass and quaking grass are locally abundant. Herb species such as black medick, meadow buttercup and ribwort plantain may also be locally dominant, while yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi, pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus and common meadow rue Thalictrum flavum are widespread. Species of more limited distribution in South Yorkshire include common twayblade Neottia ovata and adder's tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum.

Species mentioned