Bickenhill Meadows

Also within

West Midlands County

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Area, 7.2 ha. 17.8 ac. Description Bickenhill Meadows consists of two groups of fields comprising species rich grassland situated to the south and west of the village of Bickenhill on predominantly neutral soils overlying Keuper Marl. The meadows comprise one of the richest grassland floras in the county with good examples of both meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis – great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis flood meadow and common knapweed Centaurea nigra – crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus meadow and pasture. Both grassland types have declined very severely nationally in the 20th century due to agricultural improvement. The West Midlands Region contains a major part of the national resource of the common knapweed – crested dog’s tail grassland type which is typically associated with level topography, loam or clay soils, moderately free drainage and the retention of traditional farming methods with small fields. There is a complex pattern of vegetation resulting from local variations in topography and drainage, such as the ridge and furrow pattern, evident in some of the fields. This has led to the development of mosaics where the main vegetation types intermingle, as well as to areas where each type can be recognised. Characteristic species include common bent Agrostis capillaris, meadow foxtail, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata and yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor. The sward is enriched by the presence of cowslip Primula veris, quaking grass Briza media, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis, heath grass Danthonia decumbens and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. The fields also contain a number of uncommon species such as betony Betonica officinalis, pepper saxifrage Silaum silauss, saw wort Serratula tinctoria, as well as meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum, a county rarity. Further interest is provided by wetter areas characterised by rushes Juncus spp., sedges Carex spp. and tall herbs such as meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and great burnet. Both groups of meadows have streams and there is a good range of tree and shrub species in the hedgerows around the fields.

Species mentioned