Yewbarrow Woods
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD343879 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 15.92 | 2019-05-21 |
| SD346876 | — | Favourable | 29.91 | 2019-05-21 |
| SD348869 | — | Favourable | 28.71 | 2019-05-21 |
| SD352867 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 25.93 | 2019-05-21 |
| SD355871 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 12.24 | 2019-05-21 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Description The Yewbarrow Woods are situated on the flanks of Yewbarrow, a ridge of ground forming the watershed between the Rusland Valley and the River Leven, two kilometres north west of Newby Bridge. They lie within the well wooded foothills of the Cumbrian mountains and display the range of woodland types typical of the area. Extensive stands of oak and birch are interspersed with stretches of ash and alder that are associated with the numerous stream valleys that cut through the woodland. The Yewbarrow Woods are however, as their name suggests, particularly notable for their extensive stands of yew Taxus baccata. This species is more commonly associated with the limestone woodlands to the east such as at Arnside Knott SSSI and Scout and Cunswick Scars SSSI, but it is uncommon on the more acid soils that dominate South Cumbria and at Yewbarrow the species is unusually abundant. The site contains some of the largest stands of yew so far identified in South Cumbria. On the upper edges of a number of Cumbrian woodlands there is a transition to juniper Juniperus communis scrub and then heath. This is well developed at Yewbarrow where the most extensive and dense stands of juniper adjacent to woodland in South Cumbria are to be found. A similar but smaller example is to be found at Dodgson Wood SSSI adjacent to Coniston Water. The woodland is chiefly composed of oak Quercus petraea and birch Betula pubescens with the occasional beech Fagus sylvatica. Yew is scattered throughout and with holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana and occasionally hawthorn Crataegus monogyna it forms a partial understorey to the main woodland stands. However, yew is particularly frequent on crags on the upper slopes of the wood and in Yewbarrow Dale it is the main canopy tree. The field layer is oftendominated by grasses such as wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa and creeping soft grass Holcus mollis but species such as foxglove Digitalis purpurea, wood sage Teucrium scorodonia, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, heath bedstraw Galium saxatile, herb Robert Geranium robertianum and bracken Pteridium aquilinum are not uncommon. However, as would be expected, large areas of bare ground occur under beech and in the dense shade of the yew. Numerous small streams pass through the woodland and the richer soils of their valleys support ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus with some wych elm Ulmus glabra and the occasional small leaved lime Tilia cordata. hazel is an important component of the understorey. On ill drained, wetter ground alder Alnus glutinosa is characteristic. Here too a more diverse woodland flora is present with much dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, wood melick Melica uniflor and false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum along with bugle Ajuga reptans, wavy bitter cress Cardamine flexuosa, yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum, primrose Primula vulgaris and wood speedwell Veronica montana, with the occasional ferns such as scaly male fern Dryopteris affinis, beech fern Phegopteris connectilis and in rock crevices the delicate brittle bladder fern Cystopteris fragilis. On the upper western slopes of the wood the woodland gradually thins out leaving yew, oak, birch, hazel, juniper and holly, dwarfed by their exposure to the winds blowing in from nearby Morecambe Bay, scattered amongst a grass heath community of heather Calluna vulgaris, bell heather Erica cinerea, sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina, wavy hair grass and heath bedstraw. In the more sheltered conditions of the south eastern facing valley side there is a transition on a larger scale, with woodland giving way to a broad swathe of mature and tall holly, yew, juniper, birch and pine gradually merging into a large and dense stand of juniper.
Species mentioned
Show the 35 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant 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 host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria |
Critically Endangered | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula vulgaris |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Digitalis purpurea, Teucrium scorodonia |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Erica cinerea, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Digitalis purpurea |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Pteridium aquilinum |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Tilia spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Festuca ovina, Galium spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
| Scarce hook-tip Sabra harpagula |
Near Threatened | Tilia cordata |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Galium spp. |
| Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| White prominent Leucodonta bicoloria |
Regionally Extinct | Betula spp. |
Host-plant 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; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Plant communities
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 15 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Geranium robertianum, Holcus mollis, Ilex aquifolium, Juniperus communis, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Taxus baccata, Teucrium scorodonia, Ulmus glabra
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera 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
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 11 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Crataegus monogyna, Digitalis purpurea, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Galium saxatile, Geranium robertianum, Holcus mollis, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Teucrium scorodonia
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 10 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Cardamine flexuosa, Corylus avellana, Digitalis purpurea, Geranium robertianum, Holcus mollis, Mercurialis perennis, Oxalis acetosella, Pteridium aquilinum, Teucrium scorodonia
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera 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
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 7 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Galium saxatile, Oxalis acetosella, Phegopteris connectilis, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix 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
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