Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.7987, -2.1474

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (31) Unfavourable Recovering (10)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SO864112 Favourable 6.12 2009-06-29
SO865110 Favourable 6.12 2009-06-29
SO866110 Favourable 6.12 2009-06-29
SO867106 Unfavourable Recovering 60.91 2013-09-03
SO867113 Unfavourable Recovering 60.91 2013-09-03
SO869120 Unfavourable Recovering 60.91 2013-09-03
SO871123 Favourable 4.57 2009-06-29
SO874129 Favourable 1.54 2023-03-31
SO875128 Favourable 25.95 2023-03-31
SO878128 Favourable 10.29 2023-03-31
SO879127 Favourable 10.29 2023-03-31
SO880128 Favourable 10.29 2023-03-31
SO880129 Favourable 10.29 2023-03-31
SO885135 Favourable 10.81 2023-03-31
SO887133 Favourable 88.28 2012-08-08
SO888097 Favourable 27.22 2009-06-03
SO890113 Unfavourable Recovering 14.98 2012-10-17
SO890142 Favourable 49.99 2012-06-28
SO891108 Unfavourable Recovering 9.05 2013-09-13
SO891116 Favourable 36.35 2012-11-14
SO893105 Favourable 4.69 2009-04-07
SO893136 Favourable 88.28 2012-08-08
SO893145 Favourable 2.06 2009-06-02
SO894123 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO894125 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO894127 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO894133 Favourable 88.28 2012-08-08
SO894137 Favourable 88.28 2012-08-08
SO895106 Favourable 1.92 2009-04-07
SO896099 Favourable 0.72 2009-04-07
SO896125 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO896140 Unfavourable Recovering 34.2 2012-06-28
SO897128 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO899129 Favourable 26.61 2009-04-07
SO900136 Favourable 88.28 2012-08-08
SO903110 Unfavourable Recovering 117.09 2012-06-29
SO904134 Unfavourable Recovering 81.86 2011-11-14
SO908130 Unfavourable Recovering 81.86 2011-11-14
SO913115 Favourable 0.39 2009-04-07
SO918136 Unfavourable Recovering 67.84 2011-11-14
SO920135 Favourable 7.85 2009-07-02

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
sparrowhawk Breeding
sparrowhawk Wintering
tree pipit Breeding
tree pipit Roosting
wood warbler Breeding

Description

Area, 665.5 ha. 1664.4 ac. Description The site consists of ancient beech woodland and unimproved grassland lying over Jurassic limestones at the western edge of the Cotswolds. It includes land around the villages of Sheepscombe and Cranham and along the top of the scarp between Painswick and Birdlip. The woodlands are amongst the most diverse and species rich of their type while the grasslands typify the unimproved calcareous pastures for which the area is famous. The beech woods have a long history of management for timber and have now generally developed a high forest structure. The canopy is dominated by beech Fagus sylvatica with some ash Fraxinus excelsior, pedunculate oak Quercus robur and some areas of sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. Among associated tree species are wych elm Ulmus glabra, field maple Acer campestre and whitebeam Sorbus aria. Characteristic understorey species include holly Ilex aquifolium and yew Taxus baccata but regenerating ash, sycamore and beech often accounts for much of the shrub layer. The field layer consists mainly of bramble Rubus fruticosus, dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis and ivy Hedera helix with wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, sanicle Sanicula europaea, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana. More local species include green hellebore Helleborus viridis, common wintergreen Pyrola minor, bird's nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis and broad leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine. A number of nationally rare plants also occur, including fingered sedge Carex digitata, wood barley Hordelymus europaeus, stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus, yellow star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea and narrow lipped helleborine Epipactis leptochila. Other wooded habitats represented in the site include wet areas, for example near the Painswick stream, dominated by alder Alnus glutinosa and willow Salix spp. Some areas of mixed coniferous and broadleaved plantation are included where the conifer element is being removed to favour the native broadleaved species. There are a few small areas of coppice dominated by hazel Corylus avellana. The fauna of the woods includes an exceptional variety of invertebrate species. Several nationally rare terrestrial snails are present and are particularly associated with areas of springs and moist vegetation containing abundant mosses and liverworts. They include Ena montana, Phenocolimax major, Acicula fusca and Macrogaster rolphii; all species restricted to ancient woodland sites. Butterflies include silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia and less commonly white admiral Limenitis camilla and white-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album. Breeding birds include tawny owl Strix aluco, sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, green woodpecker Picus viridis and wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix while flocks of brambling Fringilla montifringilla are frequent in winter. Badgers Meles meles and a variety of small mammals are present and fallow deer Dama dama occur in low numbers. Unimproved limestone grassland is mainly confined to the common lands at Painswick Beacon, Cranham and Sheepscombe but there are a number of smaller areas close to the woodlands. The swards are generally dominated by upright brome Bromus erectus, tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and sheep's fescue Festuca ovina with quaking grass Briza media and a wide range of other flowering herbs. Typical plants include cowslips Primula veris, common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, wild thyme Thymus praecox and field scabious Knautia arvensis while less common species include autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria. The very local musk orchid Herminium monorchis occurs at two locations. Scrub encroachment is occurring in some ungrazed areas, with species such as hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, field rose Rosa arvensis and young tree growth. There are a few juniper Juniperus communis bushes. At Painswick Beacon there has been a rapid spread of self sown Scot's pine Pinus sylvestris in recent years which is encroaching on the species rich grasslands. A wide variety of butterflies is associated with the herb rich grassland. Species such as marbled white Melanargia galatheaa, chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon and green hairstreak Callophrys rubi are widespread whilst the rare Duke of Burgundy fritillary Hamearis lucina is more localised. Tree pipits Anthus trivialis feature among the breeding birds. Some disused limestone mines within the notified area are used as winter roosts by several bat species.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites
Latin name
search with Google
IUCN / Red List Type Family
brambling Fringilla montifringilla LC (NonBreeding) bird-finch fringillidae
sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus NT (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
tawny owl Strix aluco NT (Breeding) bird-owl strigidae
tree pipit Anthus trivialis LC (Breeding) bird-pipit motacillidae
wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix VU (Breeding) bird-warbler phylloscopidae
green woodpecker Picus viridis LC (Breeding) bird-woodpecker picidae
silver-washed fritillary Argynnis paphia LC butterfly nymphalidae
green hairstreak Callophrys rubi LC butterfly lycaenidae
Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina VU butterfly riodinidae
white admiral Limenitis camilla VU butterfly nymphalidae
chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon VU butterfly lycaenidae
white-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album VU butterfly lycaenidae
badger Meles meles LC carnivore mustelidae
fallow deer Dama dama NE deer cervidae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
upright brome Bromus erectus Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
wood barley Hordelymus europaeus VU grass poaceae
wood anemone Anemone nemorosa LC herb ranunculaceae
lady's fingers (kidney vetch) Anthyllis vulneraria NT herb fabaceae
enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana LC herb onagraceae
frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis VU herb orchidaceae
broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine DD herb orchidaceae
narrow-lipped helleborine Epipactis leptochila VU herb orchidaceae
yellow star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea LC herb liliaceae
autumn gentian Gentianella amarella LC herb gentianaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
foetid hellebore Helleborus foetidus LC herb ranunculaceae
green hellebore Helleborus viridis LC herb ranunculaceae
musk orchid Herminium monorchis EN herb orchidaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
field scabious Knautia arvensis LC herb caprifoliaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
birdsnest orchid Neottia nidus-avis VU herb orchidaceae
cowslip Primula veris LC herb primulaceae
wintergreens Pyrola minor LC herb ericaceae
field rose Rosa arvensis LC herb rosaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
sanicle Sanicula europaea LC herb apiaceae
creeping thyme Thymus praecox Not listed in GB list herb lamiaceae
fingered sedge Carex digitata LC sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
juniper Juniperus communis CR shrub cupressaceae
point snail Acicula fusca LC snail aciculidae
mountain bulin snail Ena montana NT snail enidae
Rolph's door snail Macrogaster rolphii Not listed in GB list snail clausiliidae
greater semi slug Phenocolimax major Not listed in GB list snail vitrinidae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Not listed in GB list tree aceraceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
Scot's pine Pinus sylvestris LC tree pinaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
whitebeams Sorbus aria CR tree rosaceae
yew Taxus baccata LC tree taxaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra LC tree ulmaceae
ivy Hedera helix LC woody climber araliaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus 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

Isolepis 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

Berula 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

Fontinalis 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

Hedera 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

Hedera 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

Hedera 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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas