Low Beckside Meadow

Also within

Cumbria County LAKE DISTRICT National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Description Low Beckside Meadow is located approximately one kilometre south of Mungrisedale village, north of Threlkeld along the banks of the River Glenderamackin. Much of the land lies on alluvial soils at 200 metres OD and slopes steeply westwards towards the river. The banks have a rich and diverse neutral meadow flora; however, the flat areas have been improved for agriculture in the past. This meadow is one of only three known sites in West Cumbria that supports vegetation of this type. It is characterised by a number of differing grass and herb species. Bents and fescues are the dominant grasses Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra with significant quantities of crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum. Typically for the type of grassland, there is also frequent hardhead Centaurea nigra, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, plantain Plantago lanceolata, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris and sorrel Rumex acetosa. Herbs are also diverse and include lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, betony Betonica officinalis, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, yellow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis and lady’s mantle Alchemilla glabra. Sedges are represented by glaucous sedge Carex flacca and spring sedge Carex caryophyllea and additional grasses of local interest include yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens and hairy oat grass Avenula pubescens. The sward also supports the locally uncommon fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia which occur together with the common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. The semi improved and improved swards are largely dominated by grasses such as perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne, Yorkshire fog, crested dog’s tail and soft brome Bromus hordeaceous. Similar herbs also occur, though much less frequently.

Species mentioned

Plant communities