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Far Bank

Bradford Wildlife Area – Evaluation Against Local Wildlife Site Criteria
Site Name/ Code:  Far Bank, Addingham, BWA 069 Location:  south of Addingham
Date of Survey:  27/07/2012
Surveyor:  E. Skinner, West Yorkshire Ecology
Grid Reference:  SE076491
Site Area (Ha):  2 lengths of hedgerow plus 1.53 proposed LWS boundary (3.06 original BWA boundary)
Natural Area:  Southern Pennines
Public Access:  footpath through site, old Roman Road
NVC Communities:  B6 (Phase 1), B22 (Phase 1), MG6, MG9

Site Description

Far Bank is located about 500m to the south of Addingham. The adjacent land is mostly improved grassland fields, which are grazed by cows. There are also some wooded/ scrubby sections adjacent to the site. An old Roman trackway, named Street, runs through the site. The site follows this old track and is fairly linear, spanning about 850m in length, with an average width of about 30m.

The far western part of the site is largely covered by MG6 neutral grassland. This contains species including: frequent Lolium perenne, occasional Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lantaus, Alopecurus pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Rumex acetosa and Trifolium repens.

There are old hedge-lines running down part of the western boundaries of the site. The species here are: frequent Crataegus monogyna and Ilex aquifolium, occasional Prunus spinosa, Fraxinus excelsior and Rubus fruticosus, and rare Corylus avellana, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ulex europaeus, Sambucus nigra, Rosa arvensis, Digitalis purpurea and Hedera helix.

Further to the east, the site broadens out a bit, and becomes scrubbier. There is a south-west facing bank on which the habitat is scrub (section 1). This is host to: frequent Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna and Rubus fruticosus, and occasional Sambucus nigra, Urtica dioica, Poa trivialis, Holcus lanatus, Digitalis purpurea, Cirsium arvense and Dryopteris filix-mas.

There is another area of scrub, on the other side of the track-way, and this is recorded as scrub (section 2). It contains species including: frequent Crataegus monogyna, occasional Ilex aquifolium, and rare Fraxinus excelsior, Ulex europaeus, Rosa arvensis, Acer pseudoplatanus and Hedera helix.

The eastern part of the site contains more diverse neutral grassland, including B22, MG9 and MG10. The B22 is present on a south-westerly bank, and is host to: frequent Festuca rubra and Holcus lanatus, and occasional Deschampsia cespitosa, Dactylis glomerata, Agrostis stolonifera, Centaurea nigra, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Stachys officinalis, Stellaria graminea, S. pedunculatus and Trifolium repens.

There is a hedgerow on the eastern boundary of the B22 field, and this contains: occasional Alnus glutinosa, Crataegus monogyna and Ilex aquifolium, and rare Corylus avellana, Acer pseudoplatanus, Sambucus nigraand Fraxinus excelsior.

On the other side of the hedge is a damper field, with MG9 neutral grassland and MG10 rush-pasture. There are also a couple of sections of scrub, containing Rubus fruticosus and Ulex europaeus.

The MG10 grassland is host to: frequent Holcus lanatus, occasional Lotus pedunculatus, Rumex acetosa, Cirsium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Stellaria graminea, Deschampsia cespitosa, Crataegus monogyna, Angelica sylvestris, Dactylohriza fuchsii, Festuca rubra and Galium aparine, locally frequent Juncus acutiflorus, Filipendula ulmaria and Urtica dioica, and rare Mentha aquatica, Salix fragilis, Galium palustre, Caltha palustre, Valeriana officinalis and Juncus effusus.

The MG9 grassland is contains: frequent Deschampsia cespitosa, occasional Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Stellaria graminea, Agrostis stolonifera, A. capillaris, Arrhenatherum elatius, Angelica sylvestris, Cirsium arvense and C. palustre, and rare Sanguisorba officinalis and Calystegia sepium.

There is a spring running through part of the MG10/ MG9 and there is a small section of Phragmites australis present.

Bordering the east of the site is a grassland section that also looked to be fairly species rich. This was therefore also surveyed, although it was not possible to access the area so species visible from the adjacent path were recorded. This section is recorded as B22 (outside current boundary). The species include: frequent Agrostis capillaris, occasional Lotus corniculatus, Pilosella officinarum, Campanula rotundifolia, Dactylis glomerata and Stachys officinalis, and locally frequent Juncus effusus and Deschampsia cespitosa.

Fauna recorded during the site visit were: blackbird (in flight) and wren (alarm call). Meadow brown, small white and red admiral butterflies were seen feeding on flowers in the B22 section within the site.

Ecological Evaluation

The site meets Criteria Gr5, as the neutral grassland (B22, MG9 and M10) scores 7 points, which is within 20% of the minimum threshold for Criteria Gr3, and the site lies within 500m of Steg Holes, another qualifying grassland site.

The B22 section currently outside the site boundary, directly east of the site, may also merit inclusion. It contains at least 5 scoring species, but as it was not possible to identify the owner for permission to access the land, it was assessed using records recorded from the footpath crossing near the margin of the field.   

The old hedge-lines, that border parts of the western end of the site (old Roman Road), contain 9 woody species, and so meets Criteria Wd7, which covers hedgerows that are host to 8 or more woody species.

Woodland

           

Wd7

Old hedgerows

30m long

8 woody species

Pre-Enclosures Acts (1845) not to standard lengths

old hedgeline along Roman trackway - 9 woody species (including gorse) - yes

Define the boundary along the hedgerow.

Mixed habitats and structural mosaics

           

Mh3

Good smaller scale features for invertebrates list in Table 16

0.5ha

 

Needs advice or an invertebrate specialist.

 

5 out of 23 from features of structural importance for invertebrates table: dead wood (wet, shady), springs seepages or pools, scattered scrub, steep slopes on banks, coarse tussocky grassland

Value for appreciation of nature

           

Vanl1

   

80% of species diversity score for any habitat selection guideline and significant value for people.

Do not use in combination with other guidelines which reduce the qualiifying scores eg Gr5, Wd6, Fe6 and Sw5.

 

public footpath along old Roman trackway

Species

           

Birds

           

B5

Good assemblage of breeding birds for particular habitat

Listed in Table 20 with threshol ds.

     

Recorded during 2012 site visit: wren (alarm call), blackbird (in flight)                              Previous records: lapwing,

Invertebrates

           

INV1

Invertebrate assemblage: UK rare or EU protected score 3, NS or UK BAP score 2; Locally notable score 1

 

15 points or more

   

Recorded during 2012 site visit: red admiral, small white and meadow brown butterflies, feeding on flowers in the B22 section within the site

 

Far Bank, Addingham – BWA 069 – Survey Date 27/07/2012

Latin Name

Common Name

Abundances (DAFOR)/ Comments

MG6 neutral grassland

   

Agrostis capillaris

Common Bent

R

Alopecurus pratensis

Meadow Foxtail

O

Cardamine pratensis

Cuckooflower

R

Cerastium fontanum

Common Mouse-ear

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Cirsium vulgare

Spear Thistle

R

Cynosurus cristatus

Crested Dog's-tail

O

Dactylis glomerata

Cock's-foot

O

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

O

Lolium perenne

Perennial Rye-grass

F

Plantago major

Greater Plantain

R

Prunella vulgaris

Selfheal

R

Ranunculus acris

Meadow Buttercup

O

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

R

Rumex acetosa

Common Sorrel

O

Rumex obtusifolius

Broad-leaved Dock

R

Trifolium pratense

Red Clover

R

Trifolium repens

White Clover

O

Veronica chamaedrys

Germander Speedwell

R

Old hedgeline

   

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

R

Corylus avellana

Hazel

R

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

F

Digitalis purpurea

Foxglove

R

Fraxinus excelsior

Ash

O

Hedera helix

Ivy

R

Ilex aquifolium

Holly

F

Prunus spinosa

Blackthorn

O

Quercus petraea

Sessile Oak

O

Rosa arvensis

Field-rose

R

Rubus fruticosus agg.

Bramble

O

Sambucus nigra

Elder

R

Ulex europaeus

Gorse

R

On trodden edges of path

   

Plantago major

Greater Plantain

O  

Poa annua

Annual Meadow-grass

O

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

O

Trifolium repens

White Clover

O

Scrub (section 2)

   

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

R  

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

F  

Fraxinus excelsior

Ash

R

Hedera helix

Ivy

R

Ilex aquifolium

Holly

O

Rosa arvensis

Field-rose

R

Sambucus nigra

Elder

R

Ulex europaeus

Gorse

R

B6 (section 1) neutral grassland, species poor

   

Angelica sylvestris

Wild Angelica

O

Cardamine pratensis

Cuckooflower

R

Cerastium fontanum

Common Mouse-ear

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Cirsium palustre

Marsh Thistle

O

Dactylis glomerata

Cock's-foot

O

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Lotus pedunculatus

Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil

R

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

F

Rumex acetosa

Common Sorrel

O

Stellaria graminea

Lesser Stitchwort

R

Stellaria alsine

Bog Stitchwort

O

Scrub (section 1)

   

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

F

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hairgrass

R

Digitalis purpurea

Foxglove

O

Dryopteris filix-mas

Male-fern

O

Fraxinus excelsior

Ash

R

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

O

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Bluebell

R

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

R

Rubus fruticosus agg.

Bramble

F

Sambucus nigra

Elder

O

Stellaria media

Common Chickweed

R

Ulex europaeus

Gorse

F

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

O

Veronica chamaedrys

Germander Speedwell

R

Viola riviniana

Common Dog-violet

R

MG1 neutral grassland

   

Arrhenatherum elatius

False Oat-grass

F

Centaurea nigra

Common Knapweed

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Dactylis glomerata

Cock’s-foot

F

Digitalis purpurea

Foxglove

R

Festuca rubra

Red Fescue

F

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Torilis japonica

Upright Hedge-parsley

R

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

O

B6 (section 2) neutral grassland, species poor

   

Agrostis stolonifera

Creeping Bent

O

Alopecurus pratensis

Meadow Foxtail

O

Cirsium vulgare

Spear Thistle

R

Dactylis glomerata

Cock’s-foot

F

Elytrigia repens

Common Couch

R

Galium aparine

Cleavers

O

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Rumex obtusifolius

Broad-leaved Dock

R

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

O

B22 semi-improved neutral grassland

   

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

O

Agrostis stolonifera

Creeping Bent

O

Alopecurus pratensis

Meadow Foxtail

R

Angelica sylvestris

Wild Angelica

R

Campanula rotundifolia

Harebell

R

Centaurea nigra

Common Knapweed

O

Cerastium fontanum

Common Mouse-ear

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Dactylis glomerata

Cock’s-foot

O

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

Common Spotted-orchid

R

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hairgrass

O

Elytrigia repens

Common Couch

R

Equisetum palustre

Marsh Horsetail

R

Festuca rubra

Red Fescue

F

Galium aparine

Cleavers

O

Heracleum sphondylium

Hogweed

O

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Juncus inflexus

Hard Rush

R

Phalaris arundinacea

Reed Canary-grass

R

Phleum pratense

Timothy

R

Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort Plantain

O

Prunella vulgaris

Selfheal

R

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

O

Rumex acetosa

Common Sorrel

O

Senecio jacobaea

Common Ragwort

O

Sonchus asper

Prickly Sow-thistle

O

Stachys officinalis

Betony

O

Stellaria graminea

Lesser Stitchwort

O

Stellaria alsine

Bog Stitchwort

O

Trifolium pratense

Red Clover

R

Trifolium repens

White Clover

O

Hedgerow

   

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

R

Alnus glutinosa

Alder

O

Corylus avellana

Hazel

R

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

O

Fraxinus excelsior

Ash

R

Ilex aquifolium

Holly

O

Sambucus nigra

Elder

R

MG10 rush-pasture

   

Agrostis stolonifera

Creeping Bent

O

Angelica sylvestris

Wild Angelica

O

Caltha palustris

Marsh-marigold

R

Cardamine pratensis

Cuckooflower

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Cirsium palustre

Marsh Thistle

O

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

O

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

Common Spotted-orchid

O

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hairgrass

O

Festuca rubra

Red Fescue

O

Filipendula ulmaria

Meadowsweet

LF

Galium aparine

Cleavers

O

Galium palustre

Marsh-bedstraw

R

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Juncus acutiflorus

Sharp-flowered Rush

LF

Juncus effusus

Soft-rush

R

Lotus pedunculatus

Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil

O

Mentha aquatica

Water Mint

R

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

F

Rumex acetosa

Common Sorrel

O

Salix fragilis

Crack-willow

R

Stellaria graminea

Lesser Stitchwort

O

Torilis japonica

Upright Hedge-parsley

R

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

LF

Valeriana officinalis

Common Valerian

R

MG9 neutral grassland

   

Agrostis capillaris

Common Bent

O

Agrostis stolonifera

Creeping Bent

O

Angelica sylvestris

Wild Angelica

O

Arrhenatherum elatius

False Oat-grass

O

Calystegia sepium

Hedge Bindweed

R

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

O

Cirsium palustre

Marsh Thistle

O

Dactylis glomerata

Cock’s-foot

O

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hairgrass

F

Festuca rubra

Red Fescue

O

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire-fog

F

Sanguisorba officinalis

Great Burnet

R

Stellaria graminea

Lesser Stitchwort

O

B22 (just outside site boundary) semi-improved neutral grassland

   

Agrostis capillaris

Common Bent

F

Campanula rotundifolia

Harebell

O

Carex flacca

Glaucous Sedge

LF  

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

R

Cirsium palustre

Marsh Thistle

R

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn

R

Dactylis glomerata

Cock's-foot

O

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hairgrass

LF

Juncus effusus

Soft-rush

LF

Lotus corniculatus

Common Bird's-foot-trefoil

O

Pilosella officinarum

Mouse-ear-hawkweed

O

Stachys officinalis

Betony

O

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

R

Fauna

   

Troglodytes troglodytes

Wren

 

Turdus merula

Blackbird

 

Maniola jurtina

Meadow Brown

feeding on flowers in B22

Pieris rapae

Small White

feeding on flowers in B22

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral