Dundonald Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 55.5737, -4.6046

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1) Part Destroyed (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Beetle assemblage Favourable 2011-02-14
F2 Upland mixed ash woodland Part Destroyed 2024-08-14

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Glacial Till

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

DUNDONALD WOOD Dundonald Wood, lying to the immediate south-west of Dundonald, is one of the most extensive areas of deciduous woodland in South Ayrshire and supports a diverse assemblage of beetles including a number of Nationally Scare species. The woodland is dominated by elm, ash and oak, although there are also significant numbers of non-native beech and sycamore. The woodland structure is well developed and there is a range of dry to damp boulder clay soils with their associated plant communities. Conifer plantations occupy the southern and north-eastern parts of the site. The site supports a variety of uncommon invertebrates, mostly associated with dead and/or decaying wood or associated habitats such as fungi or sap runs. Among these are a number of Nationally Scarce beetles including the fungus beetle Colon latum; the bark beetle Rhizophagus nitidulus; the shining fungus beetle Scaphisoma boleti and the rove beetle Xylostiba monilicornis.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
no common name Scaphisoma boleti LC beetle rove staphylinidae