Ousdale Burn

Also within

Caithness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Ousdale Burn Ousdale Burn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located near the east coast of Caithness, approximately 6km northeast of Helmsdale. The steep slopes surrounding the lower part of the Ousdale Burn support nationally important birch woodland. Woodland is a comparatively rare habitat in Caithness and, together with the nearby Langwell Water and Berriedale Water SSSIs, this site contributes to the largest area of deciduous woodland in the county. Downy birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia are the most common trees here. Aspen Populus tremula, bird cherry Prunus padus and hazel Corylus avellana are also found in areas where the soil is enriched by the base-rich rocks whilst eared willow Salix aurita, grey willow Salix cinerea and goat willow Salix caprea grow on the banks of the burn. The woodland understorey includes dog rose Rosa canina and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum. The site has a rich and varied ground flora which includes species such as bugle Ajuga reptans, sweet woodruff Galium odoratum and hairy-brome Bromopsis ramosa. Tall herb vegetation near the burn includes species such as greater woodrush Luzula sylvatica. There are outcrops of the base-rich flagstone rocks in other parts of the site. Here the ground flora includes grassland with plants such as opposite-leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, while ferns such as black spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum grow in the rock crevices.

Species mentioned