Pentwyn Farm Grasslands is a nature reserve, and a series of agricultural fields, in Monmouthshire, southeast Wales. It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1993, noted for its biological characteristics.[1]
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 Meadow of flowers in Pentwyn Farm Grasslands | |
  Location within Monmouthshire | |
| Location | Monmouthshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SO523093 |
| 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 |
Geography
editThe 7.6-hectare (19-acre) SSSI, spread over 3 separate enclosed spaces, is located within the community of Mitchel Troy, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of the town of Monmouth. They are centred on Pentwyn Farm, to the north of the village of Penallt.[2][3]
The site is owned by the Gwent Wildlife Trust as well as private individuals.[4][5] The grasslands lie on top of the local red sandstone and brown earth soils. The ground generally slopes in a southerly direction, but one field does slope to the north.[1]
Wildlife and ecology
editThe traditionally-managed, unimproved neutral grassland, that Pentwyn Farm supports, is one of the largest in the area and is of importance as this type of grassland is in decline within Britain. The flora that dominates this reserve is the common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), common bent (Agrostis capillaris), meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), red fescue (Festuca rubra) and sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), with cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) preferring low-lying areas. Also present are red clover (Trifolium pratense) and common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), the latter having a more sporadic distribution on the site.[1]
Green-winged orchids (Anacamptis morio) are also present on the site, in one of the largest populations within the vice-county of Monmouthshire. This orchid is becoming increasingly uncommon within Monmouthshire as well as nationally.[1] Other orchids found on the reserve include the common spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), common twayblade (Neottia ovata) and the greater butterfly (Platanthera chlorantha).[5]
The hedgerows of the field system provide an ideal habitat for dormice and also offer food for overwintering fieldfares and redwings.[5]
Gallery
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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
References
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- ^ a b c d "Pentwyn Farm Grasslands" (pdf). Countryside Council for Wales. Retrieved 26 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pentwyn Farm Grasslands map". Countryside Council for Wales. Archived from the original (pdf) on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ Ordnance Survey: Explorer map sheet OL14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean ISBN 9780319240953
- ^ "Pentwyn Farm Grasslands". Countryside Council for Wales. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "Pentwyn Farm Reserve". Gwent Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.