The Hudnalls
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO531025 | — | Favourable | 2.21 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO531034 | — | Favourable | 2.05 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO532024 | — | Favourable | 1.15 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO532030 | — | Favourable | 29.4 | 2023-03-31 |
| SO532034 | — | Favourable | 0.96 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO540040 | — | Favourable | 39.19 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO544046 | — | Favourable | 18.71 | 2014-06-11 |
| SO546042 | — | Favourable | 18.71 | 2014-06-11 |
| SO549039 | — | Favourable | 4.87 | 2015-03-25 |
| SO549043 | — | Favourable | 18.71 | 2014-06-11 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Rock Type: Conglomerate, Limestone
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| buzzard | Breeding |
| pied flycatcher | Breeding |
| sparrowhawk | Breeding |
| wood warbler | Breeding |
Description
Area, 94.4 ha. 233.3 ac. Description The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley form one of the most important areas for woodland conservation in Britain, comparable with the Caledonian pinewoods, the oceanic oak woods of Western Britain, the New Forest and the mixed coppices of East Anglia. Semi natural woodland is abundant and virtually continuous along the gorge. The woods are a mixture of many types, some of which are very localised, for example the lime sessile oak stands on limestone, beech stands on both acid and alkaline soils in which lime Tilia spp., elm Ulmus spp., oak Quercus spp. and other species share dominance. Most woods are a rich mixture of stand types which are believed to be similar in composition to the original natural woods, of the valley. Many rare and local species are present, including some of the rarest native tree species, for example large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos, whitebeams Sorbus spp. and trees close to the edge of their European range, for example hornbeam Carpinus betulus and beech Fagus sylvatica. Furthermore these woods sit in a matrix of unimproved grassland and other semi natural habitats which, together with the woods, make the Wye Valley one of the most diverse, rich and attractive areas in southern Britain. The woodlands of the Hudnalls mainly occupy steep north and west facing valley sides along the River Wye and one of its tributaries, the Mork Brook, between Bigsweir and Brockweir. Only The Tuffs to the north lies on flatter alluvial ground. The soils are derived from the underlying Old Red Sandstones, quartz conglomerate and more recent Head material. Although generally acidic in character, some more alkaline, flushed soils are associated with a number of small springs and streams. The variety of rock and soil types together with a complex management history has resulted in one of the most diverse areas of ancient semi natural woodland in the Wye Valley. At least eleven different types of broadleaved woodland have been identified and there is a correspondingly varied ground flora. Beech woodland is dominant over much of the area nearest the River Wye, with ancient beech coppice particularly well represented. Trees associated with the beech include both sessile and pedunculate oak Quercus petraea and Quercus robur, ash Fraxinus excelsior, small leaved lime Tilia cordata and silver birch Betula pendula. Holly Ilex aquifolium and hazel Corylus avellana dominate the shrub layer while the forest floor supports abundant bramble Rubus fruticosus, ivy Hedera helix, great wood rush Luzula sylvatica and ferns egmale fern Dryopteris filix-mas and harts tongue Asplenium scolopendrium. The nationally restricted wood fescue Festuca altissima is found here forming the most extensive stands in the Wye Valley. Several types of oak woodland occur throughout the site and both sessile and pedunculate oak are widespread. Much has been coppiced and is associated with ash, silver birch, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and hazel. The ground flora includes acid loving plants such as bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, bracken Pteridium aquilinum and great wood rush. The deeper soils of the Tuffs and Mocking Hazell Wood have abundant dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis and bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta. In these woods oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris is found close to the southern limit of its geographical range. Oak lime woodlands dominate the southern part of the site with beech, ash and wild cherry Prunus avium contributing to the canopy. There are few shrubs principally holly but a diverse ground flora includes stands of yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and wood fescue. Several areas of alder Alnus glutinosa woodland are associated with stream sides; a particularly extensive patch of coppiced alder being present in The Tuffs. Other species hereinclude ash, oak, wild cherry and wych elm Ulmus glabra. In parts of Barbadoes Wood this woodland type grades into valley ash wych elm woodland with a rich ground flora made up of numerous ferns and both opposite leaved and alternate leaved golden saxifrages Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and C. alternifolium. Also present on the site are an area of regenerating hornbeam in the north and alder buckthorn Frangula alnus scattered throughout. Both species are very localised in the Wye Valley. A significant bryophyte flora is present with 55 species recorded so far. Breeding birds include wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes, great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major and lesser spotted woodpecker Dryobates minor. Buzzard Buteo buteo and sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus are also present.
Species mentioned
Show the 35 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusPlant communities
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
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
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
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
W12 — Beech wood
Fagus sylvatica-Mercurialis perennis woodland
Show 91 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Aesculus hippocastanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Buxus sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Daphne laureola, Carex flacca, Carex sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thamnobryum alopecurum, Tamus communis, Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Mycelis muralis, Solidago virgaurea, Cynoglossum officinale, Alliaria petiolata, Campanula trachelium, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum hirsutum, Iris foetidissima, Ajuga reptans, Glechoma hederacea, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Epilobium montanum, Cephalanthera damasonium, Neottia nidus-avis, Neottia ovata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus bulbosus, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium odoratum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W14 — Beech wood, Wood pasture
Fagus sylvatica-Rubus fruticosus woodland
Show 76 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Ruscus aculeatus, Ligustrum vulgare, Carex remota, Carex sylvatica, Luzula pilosa, Mnium hornum, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Arum maculatum, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Hypericum pulchrum, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Epipactis helleborine, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Geum urbanum, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium odoratum, Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus giganteus, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W15 — Beech wood, Wood pasture
Fagus sylvatica-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland
Show 54 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Calluna vulgaris, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ruscus aculeatus, Carex pilulifera, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum formosum, Tetraphis pellucida, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Lepidozia reptans, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia squamules, Lonicera periclymenum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Rubus fruticosus agg., Melanpyrum pratense, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas