Llyn Llech Owain

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.8161, -4.0778

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Climate exposure

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

Peatland

Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.

Habitats

Blanket bog, Mixed scrub, Montane scrub

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Quartzite

Landscape processes: Peatland / Mire

Description

Description Llyn Llech Owain is a shallow water body situated on the highly acidic Namurian quartzite ridge just north of the village of Gorslas, near the western periphery of the South Wales Coalfield. In spite of its comparatively low altitude (about 250 metres; 820 feet), the lake exhibits features that are more typical of the upland oligotrophic (deficient in plant nutrients) lakes of the mountainous massifs of mid and north Wales. Such lakes are rare in the county of Carmarthenshire. The acid-loving vegetation in and around the lake is based on a peaty substrate and only a few species of aquatic macrophytes which are adapted to such acidic conditions occur in the lake, the most noticeable being the floating rafts of yellow and white water-lily (Nuthar lutea and Nymohaea alba respectively). Areas of bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata extend outwards from the lake margin, and in the western corner, a substantial bed of bottle sedge Carex rostrata grows. The upland hoverfly, Platycherius tertallidus, occurs in this sedgy area, and Llyn Llech Owain is one of the most southerly British stations known for this upland species. There is also much bulbous rush Juncus bulbosus var. fluitans and bog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius, whilst shoreweed Littorella uniflora and water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile occur on the margin of parts of the lake. As befits the lake's trophic (nutrient) status, the most numerous dragonflies are the four-spotted chaser Libellula quadrimaculata and the late-flying black darter Sympetrum danae, but a range of other species occurs, including the emperor Anax imperator, which is normally found inhabiting richer lowland waters. The lake is encircled by vegetation communities which can tolerate the prevalent acidic conditions, namely much tussocky purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea and tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa, with swards of cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix in the damp areas; whilst the wettest hollows have strong growths of common cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium with a little hare's-tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum and, amongst Sphagnum mosses, the insectivorous round-leaved sundew Drosera rotundifolia; white-beaked sedge Rhynchospora alba also occurs. Scattered throughout are clumps of royal fern Osmunda regalis. To the south of the lake the vegetation is a little more diverse, with patches of various sedges, including common sedge Carex nigra and star sedge Carex echinata; heath milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia, devil's-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica also occur. Drier areas to the east of the lake and on the slopes to the north are clad with heather Calluna vulgaris, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and growths of the exclusively upland race (subsp. strictissima) of tormentil Potentilla erecta, on the thin mineral soils. Peripheral grey willow Salix cinerea scrub around parts of the lake and the boggy areas shelters many nesting birds, including redpoll and willow tit but, due to the lake's nutrient status, its resident avifauna is rather poor, though dabchick regularly breeds. Remarks: The site is owned and managed by Carmarthen District Council.

Species mentioned

Show the 28 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
willow tit	Parus montanus	Not listed in GB list	bird	paridae
redpoll	Carduelis flammea	Not listed in GB list	bird-warbler	fringillidae
emperor dragonfly	Anax imperator	LC	dragonfly	aeshnidae
four-spotted chaser	Libellula quadrimaculata	LC	dragonfly	libellulidae
black darter	Sympetrum danae	LC	dragonfly	libellulidae
royal fern	Osmunda regalis	LC	fern	osmundaceae
tufted hair grass	Deschampsia cespitosa	LC	grass	poaceae
purple moor grass	Molinia caerulea	LC	grass	poaceae
round leaved sundew	Drosera rotundifolia	LC	herb	droceraceae
water horsetail	Equisetum fluviatile	LC	herb	equisetaceae
shoreweed	Littorella uniflora	LC	herb	plantaginaceae
bogbean	Menyanthes trifoliata	LC	herb	manyanthaceae
lousewort	Pedicularis sylvatica	NT	herb	orobanchaceae
heath milkwort	Polygala serpyllifolia	LC	herb	polygalaceae
bog pond weed	Potamogeton polygonifolius	LC	herb	potamogetonaceae
tormentil	Potentilla erecta	LC	herb	rosaceae
devils-bit scabious	Succisa pratensis	VU	herb	caprifoliaceae
bulbous rush	Juncus bulbosus	LC	rush	juncaceae
star sedge	Carex echinata	NT	sedge	cyperaceae
common sedge	Carex nigra	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
mire bottle sedge	Carex rostrata	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
common cottongrass	Eriophorum angustifolium	NT	sedge	cyperaceae
hare's-tail cottongrass	Eriophorum vaginatum	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
white-beak sedge	Rhynchospora alba	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
billberry	Vaccinium myrtillus	LC	shrub	ericaceae
bell heather or ling	Calluna vulgaris	NT	shrub dwarf	ericaceae
cross leaved heath	Erica tetralix	NT	shrub dwarf	ericaceae
grey willow	Salix cinerea	LC	tree shrub	salicaceae

Plant communities

M15 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Upland wet heath

Scirpus cespitosus-Erica tetralix wet heath

Matches 15 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Juncus bulbosus, Menyanthes trifoliata, Molinia caerulea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 95 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex dioica, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia ventricosa, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Aneura pinguis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Succisa pratensis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Hypericum pulchrum, Triglochin palustre, Pinguicula vulgaris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza maculata, Euphrasia officinalis, Pedicularis palustris, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Trientalis europaea, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum

M17 — Blanket bog

Scirpus cespitosus-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire

Matches 13 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Molinia caerulea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Rhynchospora alba, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 78 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus setifolius, Campylopus shawii, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum imbricatum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum strictum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 12 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Deschampsia cespitosa, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Menyanthes trifoliata, Molinia caerulea, Osmunda regalis, Potentilla erecta, Salix cinerea, Succisa pratensis

Show 85 indicator species

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

M19 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire

Matches 9 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex nigra, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 84 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Betula nana, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Vaccinium microcarpum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex nigra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Cornus suecica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Neottia cordata, Potentilla erecta, Rubus chamaemorus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant

M2 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire

Sphagnum cuspidatum/recurvum bog pool community

Matches 9 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex rostrata, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Menyanthes trifoliata, Molinia caerulea, Rhynchospora alba

Show 37 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Carex canescens, Carex magellanica, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Aulacomnium palustre, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum tenellum, Cephalozia connivens, Cephalozia lunulifolia, Gymnocolea inflata, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Agrostis canina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea

M1 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Sphagnum auriculatum bog pool community

Matches 8 species from the description above: Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Juncus bulbosus, Menyanthes trifoliata, Molinia caerulea, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Rhynchospora alba

Show 30 indicator species

Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Carex limosa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Rhynchospora fusca, Trichophorum cespitosum, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus bulbosus, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Utricularia intermedia, Utricularia minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Scheuchzeria palustris, Molinia caerulea

M18 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Erica tetralix-Sphagnum papillosum raised and blanket mire

Matches 8 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Molinia caerulea, Rhynchospora alba, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 54 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephalozia connivens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Narthecium ossifragum, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea

M3 — Blanket bog, Raised bog

Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community

Matches 5 species from the description above: Drosera rotundifolia, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Molinia caerulea

Show 15 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Campylopus brevipilus, Drepanocladus fluitans, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum papillosum, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera rotundifolia, Agrostis canina, Molinia caerulea

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Salix cinerea, Succisa pratensis, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 107 indicator species

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

M20 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire

Eriophorum vaginatum blanket and raised mire

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Vaccinium myrtillus

Show 43 indicator species

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Drepanocladus fluitans, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum papillosum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephaloziella hampeana, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia taylorii, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 1 species from the description above: Salix cinerea

Show 81 indicator species

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Show 49 indicator species

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

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
Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria	Critically Endangered	Vaccinium myrtillus
The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia	Endangered	Salix spp.
Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima	Endangered	Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix
Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens	Endangered	Salix spp.
The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx	Vulnerable	Salix spp.
Broom moth Ceramica pisi	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus
Scarce chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta	Vulnerable	Salix cinerea, Salix spp.
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Salix spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Salix spp.
True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris
The lackey Malacosoma neustria	Vulnerable	Salix spp.
The anomalous Stilbia anomala	Vulnerable	Deschampsia cespitosa, Molinia caerulea
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Vaccinium myrtillus
Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis	Near Threatened	Salix spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Garden tiger Arctia caja	Near Threatened	Equisetum fluviatile, Salix cinerea
Minor shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis	Near Threatened	Salix cinerea
The sallow Cirrhia icteritia	Near Threatened	Salix spp.
Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea	Near Threatened	Eriophorum spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia	Near Threatened	Salix cinerea
Silver barred Deltote bankiana	Near Threatened	Molinia caerulea
Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix
Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria	Near Threatened	Salix spp.
The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus
Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris
Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata	Near Threatened	Salix spp.
Double dart Graphiphora augur	Near Threatened	Salix spp.
Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris
Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus

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.