Canna and Sanday
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Seabird colony, breeding | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2014-03-24 |
| F2 | Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), breeding | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2026-03-31 |
| F3 | Machair | Favourable | — | 2014-09-09 |
| F4 | Maritime cliff | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2014-11-14 |
| F5 | Tertiary Igneous | Favourable | — | 2014-03-24 |
| F6 | Moth assemblage | Favourable | — | 2015-09-22 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Habitats
Fast flowing river and stream, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Machair sand dune, Maritime cliff
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Paleogene · Rock Type: Basalt
Landscape processes: Coastal, Fluvial, Volcanic / Igneous
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Manx shearwater | Breeding |
| common gull | Breeding |
| common tern | Breeding |
| fulmar | Breeding |
| guillemot | Breeding |
| herring gull | Breeding |
| kittiwake | Breeding |
| lesser black-backed gull | Breeding |
| puffin | Breeding |
| razorbill | Breeding |
Description
CANNA AND SANDAY Canna and Sanday Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises two adjacent islands located in the Small Isles archipelago to the west of Mallaig. Canna is ringed with steep basalt cliffs whereas Sanday, the smaller of the two islands, is lower lying. The islands support nationally important machair habitat, maritime cliff plant communities, a moth assemblage and breeding shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis, as well as an aggregation of breeding seabirds. At the eastern side of both islands there are nationally important exposures in Tertiary igneous rocks. Sandwiched within the succession of Tertiary lavas are conglomerates, sandstones, shales and mudstones, all deposited by rivers, as well as agglomerates. These are the best developed and most extensive examples of inter-lava fluvial sediments and pyroclastics to have been described from the Palaeogene Volcanic Province. They provide unequivocal evidence that large, energetic river systems were active during the period of intermittent lava deposition. Rock fragments in the sediments enable the relative age of volcanic centres in the Inner Hebrides to be established. An area of wind-blown shell sand on Sanday supports an expanse of machair with wild carrot Daucus carota, lesser meadow rue Thalictrum minus and adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. It is the most species-rich and undisturbed area of its type in Lochaber. Almost the entire coastline of both Canna and Sanday comprises maritime cliff habitat encompassing coastal heath, coastal grassland and maritime cliff ledge communities. The basaltic sea-cliffs are the finest and most extensive in Lochaber and are floristically diverse, reflecting the underlying soils and differences in aspect. The north facing cliffs on the eastern half of Canna are particularly high, steep and impressive and support tall herb and grassland communities. Some of the heath at the top of the cliffs is a long way from the sea and shows limited salt-spray influence. The southern cliffs, together with low-lying areas, which are grazed by sheep and rabbits, support neutral Agrostis - Festuca grassland. Species-rich coastal heath exists in a mosaic with more acidophilous grasslands and wet and dry heaths. Between them, Canna and Sanday have a very rich moth fauna for Hebridean islands and several of the species present, such as Phyllonorycter insignitella, Coenocalpe lapidata, Lycia zonaria and Hadena caesia mananii are nationally rare. Canna and Sanday support an important assemblage of breeding seabirds which comprises the following species: common tern, northern fulmar, European shag, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, greater black-backed gull, kittiwake, common guillemot, razorbill, black guillemot, puffin and Manx shearwater. The large breeding population of shags is also of national importance in its own right.
Species mentioned
Show the 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phalacrocorax aristotelis | Not listed in GB list | bird | phalacrocoracidae | |
| razorbill | Alca torda | LC (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| black guillemot | Cepphus grylle | NT (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| puffin | Fratercula arctica | CR (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| guillemot | Uria aalge | LC (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| shag | Gulosus aristotelis | VU (Breeding) | bird-frigate | fregatidae |
| fulmar | Fulmarus glacialis | CR (Breeding) | bird-fulmar | procellariidae |
| herring gull | Larus argentatus | EN (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| common gull | Larus canus | LC (NonBreeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| lesser black-backed gull | Larus fuscus | DD (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | EN (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| Manx shearwater | Puffinus puffinus | LC (Breeding) | bird-sheerwater | procellariidae |
| common tern | Sterna hirundo | VU (Breeding) | bird-tern | laridae |
| adders-tongue fern | Ophioglossum vulgatum | LC | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| wild carrot | Daucus carota | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| lesser meadow rue | Thalictrum minus | LC | herb | ranunculaceae |
| slender-striped rufous | Coenocalpe lapidata | Not listed in GB list | moth | geometridae |
| the grey | Hadena caesia | R | moth | noctuidae |
| belted beauty | Lycia zonaria | R | moth | geometridae |
| no common name | Phyllonorycter insignitella | Not listed in GB list | moth | gracillariidae |
Plant communities
SD8 — Machair sand dune, Sand dune
Festuca rubra-Galium verum fixed dune grassland
Matches 2 species from the description above: Daucus carota, Thalictrum minus
Show 113 indicator speciesSalix repens, Rosa spinosissima, Carex arenaria, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Ditrichum flexicaule, Brachythecium albicans, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Climacium dendroides, Entodon concinnus, Homalothecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Syntrichia ruraliformis, Lophocolea bidentata, Cladonia rangiformis, Odontites verna, Peltigera canina, Peltigera rufescens, Angelica sylvestris, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Crepis capillaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis arvensis, Myosotis ramosissima, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium arvense, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Sedum acre, Equisetum arvense, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Ononis repens, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia lathyroides, Gentianella amarella, Eriodium cicutarium, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Dactylorhiza viridis, Neottia ovata, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Veronica arvensis, Veronica chamaedrys, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Rumex acetosella, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum minus, Potentilla anserina, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Viola tricolor, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Ammophila arenaria, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Leymus arenarius, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Trisetum flavescens
H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 70 indicator speciesSalix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta
MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 19 indicator speciesTortella flavovirens, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Inula crithmoides, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium binervosum, Catapodium marinum, Festuca rubra, Parapholis incurva, Asplenium marinum
MC10 — Maritime cliff
Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 64 indicator speciesSalix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex serotina, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Luzula campestris, Selaginella selaginoides, Mnium hornum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Angelica sylvestris, Daucus carota, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Bellis perennis, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia officinalis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina procumbens, Silene acaulis, Silene uniflora, Parnassia palustris, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentianella campestris, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa pratensis
MC11 — Maritime cliff
Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp. gummifer maritime grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 65 indicator speciesCarex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Carlina vulgaris, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium acaule, Cirsium vulgare, Echium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Impatiens nolitangere, Brassica oleracea, Crambe maritima, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Convolvulus arvensis, Sedum acre, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Blackstonia perfoliata, Centaurium erythraea, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Glaucium flavum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Chara curta
MC12 — Maritime cliff
Festuca rubra-Hyacinthoides non-scripta maritime bluebell community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 33 indicator speciesHedera helix, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Sonchus oleraceus, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum telephium, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Ononis repens, Vicia sativa, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Scilla verna, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum
MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 33 indicator speciesDaucus carota, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tragopogon pratensis, Brassica nigra, Brassica oleracea, Cheiranthus cheiri, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Ononis repens, Teucrium scorodonia, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Schedonorus arundinaceus
MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 77 indicator speciesCarex flacca, Hypnum cupressiforme, Tortella flavovirens, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia rangiformis, Collema spp., Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium acaule, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis ramosissima, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Diplotaxis muralis, Jasione montana, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Herniaria ciliolata, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex littoralis, Sedum acre, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium occidentale, Trifolium repens, Trifolium scabrum, Vicia sativa, Centaurium erythraea, Eriodium cicutarium, Salvia verbenaca, Thymus praecox, Scilla autumnalis, Scilla verna, Radiola linoides, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica arvensis, Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Reseda lutea, Filipendula vulgaris, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Catapodium rigidum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus
MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 17 indicator speciesDaucus carota, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Malva arborea, Plantago coronopus, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra
MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 45 indicator speciesCarex caryophyllea, Carex distans, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortella flavovirens, Trichostomum brachydontium, Angelica sylvestris, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Ligusticum scoticum, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Inula crithmoides, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Scilla verna, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla erecta, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa subcaerulea
MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 67 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Trichostomum brachydontium, Cladonia chlorophaea, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Cochlearia officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Genista tinctoria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Geranium sanguineum, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis
MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Arrhenatherum elatius grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Daucus carota
Show 102 indicator speciesHedera helix, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella major, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Artemisia vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Campanula rotundifolia, Knautia arvensis, Scabiosa columbaria, Cerastium fontanum, Silene nutans, Stellaria graminea, Convolvulus arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium dissectum, Hypericum perforatum, Clinopodium vulgare, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium album, Origanum vulgare, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epipactis purpurata, Rhinanthus minor, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara vulgaris
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa
H1 — Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Festuca ovina heath
Show 36 indicator speciesCalluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Carex arenaria, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia macilenta, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Teucrium scorodonia, Rumex acetosella, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum
H11 — Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Carex arenaria heath
Show 65 indicator speciesSalix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Rosa spinosissima, Carex arenaria, Luzula campestris, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus introflexus, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Lophocolea bidentata, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Peltigera canina, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Campanula rotundifolia, Jasione montana, Cerastium fontanum, Sedum anglicum, Lotus corniculatus, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Ammophila arenaria, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Poa pratensis
H2 — Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Ulex minor heath
Show 32 indicator speciesPinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Ulex minor, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Kurzia spp., Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cuscuta epithymum, Genista anglica, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Agrostis canina, Agrostis curtisii, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum
H3 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath
Ulex minor-Agrostis curtisii heath
Show 33 indicator speciesQuercus robur, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Ulex minor, Carex pilulifera, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus brevipilus, Campylopus flexuosus, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Kurzia spp., Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Hypericum pulchrum, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Viola lactea, Agrostis curtisii, Danthonia decumbens, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Zygogonium ericetorum
H4 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath, Upland dry heath
Ulex gallii-Agrostis curtisii heath
Show 63 indicator speciesSalix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Carex montana, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Lotus corniculatus, Thymus praecox, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola lactea, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum
H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath
Show 59 indicator speciesCalluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta
M14 — Lowland dry heath, Upland wet heath
Schoenus nigricans-Narthecium ossifragum mire
Show 35 indicator speciesPinus sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Ulex gallii, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Kurzia pauciflora, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Aneura pinguis, Riccardia multifida, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Pinguicula lusitanica, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea
MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community
Show 17 indicator speciesSchistidium maritimum, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Sedum rosea, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Asplenium marinum
MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community
Show 15 indicator speciesAngelica sylvestris, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Sedum rosea, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus
MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community
Show 24 indicator speciesJuncus articulatus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio vulgaris, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Silene uniflora, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Sedum anglicum, Trifolium repens, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa annua, Poa pratensis
MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture
Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture
Show 58 indicator speciesCarex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Festulolium loliaceum, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis
MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland
Show 64 indicator speciesAtriplex portulacoides, Carex arenaria, Carex distans, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Brachythecium rutabulum, Odontites verna, Oenanthe lachenalii, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina procumbens, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Parapholis strigosa, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis
MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca arundinacea grassland
Show 56 indicator speciesAtriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus inflexus, Juncus maritimus, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis
Insects to look out for
These moths and butterflies are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a hostplant 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 hostplant |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex emerald Thalera fimbrialis |
Endangered | Daucus carota |
| White-spotted pug Eupithecia tripunctaria |
Near Threatened | Daucus carota |
| Marsh carpet Gagitodes sagittata |
Near Threatened | Thalictrum minus |
Hostplant 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 (Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.