Muckton Wood
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TF382811 | — | Favourable | 16.71 | 2011-09-07 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Glacial Till
Landscape processes: Glacial
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| grey heron | Breeding |
Description
Area,16.7 ha4.13 ac Description Muckton Wood is a fine example of primary woodland on boulder clay at the eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Alder Alnus glutinosa is an unusual feature which replaces the typical oak/ash canopy with hazel understorey in areas where there is sub surface water movement towards Muckton Beck. The area is managed as hazel coppice with standards. A well developed shrub layer includes hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, holly Ilex aquifolium and blackthorn Prunus spinosa. Wood margins have abundant field maple Acer campestre with aspen Populus tremula. Brambles, Rubus spp. dominate part of the ground flora but do not exclude herbs, including those indicative of ancient woodland. Herb paris Paris quadrifolia is abundant in one area. Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, early purple orchid Orchis mascula, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, woodruff Galium odoratum and moschatel Adoxa moschatellina are found throughout, while bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta is almost confined to the massive wood bank along the western edge. Other species interest is in the ferns, including the soft and hard shield ferns Polystichum setiferum and P. aculeatum and in wet areas characterised by meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis. The site supports one of the largest heronries (grey heron) in the county with over 30 breeding pairs. Other breeding birds including greater spotted woodpecker, treecreeper and an abundance of warblers.
Species mentioned
Show the 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| treecreeper | Certhia familiaris | LC (Breeding) | bird-creeper | certhiidae |
| soft shield-fern | Polystichum setiferum | LC | fern | dryopteridaceae |
| moschatel | Adoxa moschatellina | LC | herb | adoxaceae |
| wood anemone | Anemone nemorosa | LC | herb | ranunculaceae |
| meadow sweet | Filipendula ulmaria | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| woodruff | Galium odoratum | LC | herb | rubiaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| early purple orchid | Orchis mascula | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| wood sorrel | Oxalis acetosella | LC | herb | oxalidaceae |
| herb paris | Paris quadrifolia | VU | herb | melanthiaceae |
| lesser pond sedge | Carex acutiformis | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| blackthorn | Prunus spinosa | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| field maple | Acer campestre | LC | tree | aceraceae |
| alder | Alnus glutinosa | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| holly | Ilex aquifolium | LC | tree | aquifoliaceae |
| aspen | Populus tremula | LC | tree | salicaceae |
Insects 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Dark bordered beauty Epione vespertaria |
Endangered | Populus tremula |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Alnus glutinosa, Crataegus spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Prunus spinosa |
| Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa |
| Blair's wainscot Sedina buettneri |
Endangered | Carex acutiformis |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Scarce chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta |
Vulnerable | Populus spp., Populus tremula |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Crataegus spp., Populus tremula, Prunus spinosa |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Filipendula ulmaria, Galium spp. |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Alnus glutinosa, Crataegus monogyna, Populus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Populus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| No common name Zeugophora turneri |
Vulnerable | Populus tremula |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Purple emperor Apatura iris |
Near Threatened | Populus tremula |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa |
| Minor shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis |
Near Threatened | Populus tremula |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Populus spp. |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Crataegus spp., Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Galium spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Populus tremula, Prunus spinosa |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Galium 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.