Malham-Arncliffe ( Cool Pasture )

Also within

North Yorkshire County YORKSHIRE DALES National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Description Malham Arncliffe Cool Pasture is located close to Kilnsey in Wharfedale and adjoins and runs with a larger pasture that lies within the Malham Arncliffe SSSI. These pastures support nationally important areas of calcareous or limestone grassland and the major part of Cool Pasture is of an unimproved, species rich form. The grassland is characterised by sheep's fescue Festuca ovina, common bent Agrostis capillaris and wild thyme Thymus praecox. The sward is rich in grass and sedge species including quaking grass Briza media, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, spring sedge Carex caryophyllea, carnation sedge Carex panicea and glaucous sedge Carex flacca. Herbs include tormentil Potentilla erecta, common milkwort Polygala vulgaris, fairy flax Linum catharticum, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, eyebright Euphrasia spp. and the nationally scarce limestone bedstraw Galium sterneri. The tiny fern, moonwort Botrychium lunaria occurs in varying abundance from year to year. A small area of grassland within the site has been impoverished by the past agricultural management. Lapwing use the land during the breeding season. Other Information 1. This site lies adjacent to Malham Arncliffe SSSI. 2. This is a new site.

Species mentioned