Minsterley Meadows

Also within

Shropshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Glacial Till

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

Description The meadows are of special interest for a type of herb rich neutral grassland, characterised by crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and common knapweed Centaurea nigra which is now very scarce in Shropshire and which is nationally restricted and declining. There has been considerable loss of unimproved grassland in this part of Shropshire and especially in and on the fringes of the South Shropshire Hills where herb rich grasslands have almost all been destroyed. Minsterley Meadows is one of the largest of the few remaining neutral grasslands in this part of Shropshire and furthermore, is one of the largest contiguous areas of the meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis sub community for this type of neutral grassland within Shropshire. Description Minsterley Meadows consists of two traditionally managed herb rich meadows situated on the eastern edge of the village of Minsterley and lying on the northern margin of the South Shropshire Hills. The meadows lie on gently sloping ground facing west and are bounded by a small stream, which emerges from a spring located on the site. The underlying soils, derived from glacial boulder clay, are predominantly neutral and free draining, although the site also includes a number of small damp areas where the drainage is impeded. The meadows contain a wide variety of grasses, the most abundant being crested dog’s tail, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, common bent Agrostis capillaris, yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, quaking grass Briza media and red fescue Festuca rubra. A varied herbaceous flora includes species which are characteristic of traditionally managed meadows such as common knapweed, autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis, cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata and pignut Conopodium majus with, more locally, meadow vetchling, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor and cowslip Primula veris. The flora of both meadows is typical of the meadow vetchling sub community for this type of neutral grassland which is characterised by the occurrence of frequent bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata and common knapweed with oxeye daisy and meadow vetchling. The presence of a number of small wet areas associated with the stream margins, and locally within the fields where drainage is poor, add to the overall diversity of the flora. In these areas the sward is characterised by the rushes Juncus effusus and J. articulatus the sedges Carex panicea, Carex flacca and Carex hirta and lady’s smock Cardamine pratensis. The meadows support a number of species which are either uncommon or rare in Shropshire, such as adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum and green winged orchid Anacamptis morio for which this site maintains one of the two largest populations that are known to occur within Shropshire. Large mature species rich hedgerows surround the meadows. These hedgerows are composed of a mixture of hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, blackthorn Prunus spinosa and hazel Corylus avellana with ash Fraxinus excelsior and oak Quercus spp and provide additional habitats of importance for invertebrates and birds.

Species mentioned

Plant communities