Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Location | Suffolk |
---|---|
Grid reference | TM 227 571[1] |
Interest | Biological |
Area | 3.7 hectares[1] |
Notification | 1983[1] |
Location map | Magic Map |
Monewden Meadows is a 3.7-hectare (9.1-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest south-west of Monewden in Suffolk.[1][2] It is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I,[3] and it is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust under the name Martins' Meadows.[4]
The site consists of three unimproved fields described as a "species-rich lowland meadow" classified as type MG5.[5] It is described as the best remaining area of clay or neutral lowland meadow remaining in Suffolk.[6] Floral species include snake's-head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), early purple orchid (Orchis mascula), green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio), pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), common twayblade (Listera ovata), meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale), adder's-tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum), pepper saxifrage (Silaum silaus) and rim lichen (Lecanora pulicaris).[6] Notable fauna includes great-crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and barn owl (Tyto alba).
There is access from the road between Monewden and Clopton.