Pentwyn Farm Grasslands facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Meadow of flowers in Pentwyn Farm Grasslands
|
|
| Area of Search | Monmouthshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°46′51″N 2°41′31″W / 51.7808°N 2.6920°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 11 hectares (0.110 km2; 0.0425 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1993 |
Pentwyn Farm Grasslands is a special nature reserve in Monmouthshire, southeast Wales. It's a series of farm fields that are very important for nature. In 1993, it was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its amazing plants and animals.
Contents
Where is Pentwyn Farm Grasslands?
This special area covers about 7.6 hectares (that's like 18.8 acres!). It's made up of three separate fields. You can find it near the town of Monmouth in a community called Mitchel Troy. It's about 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Monmouth.
The land is owned by the Gwent Wildlife Trust and some private people. The fields sit on top of red sandstone and have brown soil. Most of the ground gently slopes towards the south.
Amazing Plants and Animals
Pentwyn Farm has a very special type of grassland that is becoming rare in Britain. It's called "unimproved neutral grassland." This means it hasn't been changed much by farming, so many different wild plants can grow there.
Plants of the Grasslands
Many interesting plants grow here. You'll find lots of common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), which has purple flowers. Other common grasses include common bent (Agrostis capillaris), red fescue (Festuca rubra), and sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). You might also spot meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) with its yellow flowers.
In lower areas, you'll see cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus). Red clover (Trifolium pratense) and common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) are also present. The bird's-foot trefoil has bright yellow flowers and is sometimes called "bacon and eggs."
Rare Orchids
Pentwyn Farm is home to some beautiful and rare orchids! The green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio) is very special. It has one of the largest populations in the whole area of Monmouthshire. This orchid is becoming harder to find both locally and across the country.
Other orchids you might discover here include the common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), which has spotted leaves. You can also find the common twayblade (Neottia ovata) and the greater butterfly orchid (Platanthera chlorantha). The greater butterfly orchid has white flowers that look like butterflies.
Wildlife in the Hedgerows
The edges of the fields have hedgerows, which are like natural fences made of bushes and trees. These hedgerows are perfect homes for small animals. They provide a safe place for dormice to live and find food.
In winter, the hedgerows also offer food for birds like fieldfares and redwings. These birds travel from colder places to spend the winter here.
Gallery
-
A Burnet moth on knapweed in the reserve
-
A greater butterfly orchid in the reserve
-
A common spotted orchid in the reserve
-
Ox eye daisies in the reserve
-
Entrance to one of the fields that make up Pentwyn Farm Grasslands
