Burn of Lunklet
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Vascular plant assemblage | Favourable | — | 2007-02-14 |
Description
BURN OF LUNKLET The Burn of Lunklet which drains into East Burra Firth, 2 1⁄2 km North East of Aith in central Mainland Shetland, is bordered by rocky banks which support a population of the endemic Shetland hawkweed Hieracium zetlandicum. A second Hieracium species classified as H. Sp. nova, and which may be a new Shetland endemic species, also occurs within the site. The population of H zetlandicum is the largest known. Additionally, although not of notified importance, the vegetation of the banks includes a range of locally interesting species, contrasting with the surrounding moorland which is dominated by ling Calluna vulgaris. Un-notified plants include the native eared willow Salix aurita, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, and wild rose Rosa arvensis.
Species mentioned
Show the 5 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a hawkweed | Hieracium zetlandicum | Not listed in GB list | herb | asteraceae |
| honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| field rose | Rosa arvensis | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| eared willow | Salix aurita | LC | tree shrub | salicaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Rosa spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Salix spp. |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris |
| Glanville fritillary Melitaea cinxia |
Endangered | Hieracium spp. |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Rosa spp., Salix spp. |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Hieracium spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Salix spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| Scarce chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta |
Vulnerable | Salix spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum, Salix spp. |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Hieracium spp., Salix spp. |
| White admiral Limenitis camilla |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Salix spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Rosa spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp. |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Salix spp. |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Salix aurita |
| Minor shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis |
Near Threatened | Salix aurita |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Salix spp. |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Salix aurita |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Salix spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Salix spp. |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Salix spp. |
| Broad-barred white Hecatera bicolorata |
Near Threatened | Hieracium spp. |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.