Feystown

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.9245, -5.9492

Climate exposure

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

Coastal

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.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
crane Unknown

Description

Feystown Wood Crane's-bill This area is of special scientific interest because it is one of the main localities for wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum in Ireland. This Schedule 8 species is confined to County Antrim, where it historically existed along the coast from Killyglen near Lame to Glenarm. Feystown is the most significant remaining population of this species and is located approximately 5km southeast of Glenarm along the Feystown Road. At Feystown, wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum is found in a neutral grassland habitat characterised by a variety of grasses and associated herbs. It is similar to the grassland type with which the species is generally associated in Northern Britain. Constant components of the sward include sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, common bent Agrostis capillaris, rough stalked meadow grass Poa trivialis, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and red fescue Festuca rubra. Herbs are also abundant in this grassland and along with wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum, include species typical of traditionally managed meadows such as meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, common knapweed Centaurea nigra and meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis. Less frequent species include yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor and bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus. Feystown is a small area of semi-natural grassland managed in a traditional way. As such, it provides valuable feeding and roosting sites for a range of animals, including birds and invertebrates. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/feystown-assi

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
rough meadow grass Poa trivialis LC grass poaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum LC herb geraniaceae
meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris DD herb ranunculaceae
bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus LC herb ranunculaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
common sorrel Rumex acetosa LC herb polygonaceae