New Close, Calvert Houses

Also within

North Yorkshire County YORKSHIRE DALES National Park Coast to Coast National Trail

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Description

Area, 6.6 hectares 16.3 ac Description The grassland known as New Close at Calvert Houses is one of a series of biologically important hay meadows in the Yorkshire Dales. Maintenance of its botanical interest depends on the traditional management practice of hay cropping and aftermath grazing without the use of artificial fertilisers. The meadow consists of a gently sloping upper portion, a steep central bank and a broad flat area adjoining the River Swale. In the upper part the sward is dominated by sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus and the most abundant herbs include ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, pignut Conopodium majus and bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus. Locally there are acidic banks supporting such species as tormentil Potentilla erecta and harebell Campanula rotundifolia. The riverside area is wetter with common bistort Polygonum bistorta and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, while the central bank which is too steep to cut, supports yet another type of grassland in which the occurrence of fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia is of particular note.

Species mentioned

Plant communities