Cotland Plantation
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Upland mixed ash woodland | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2005-03-31 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian · Rock Type: Glacial Till
Landscape processes: Glacial
Description
COTLAND PLANTATION Cotland Plantation is an upland mixed ash woodland 2km west of Wigtown. It is the finest example of ash and elm woodland in Wigtownshire and is of regional and national importance. It lies between 8 and 30 metres above sea level. Ash and elm dominate the woodland canopy with oak (Quercus petraea) on the dry, higher ground, although sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) form a major part of the canopy towards the western end. The understorey is a rich mix of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), wych elm (Ulmus glabra), elder (Sambucus nigra), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and climbers such as honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) and ivy (Hedera helix). Cotland Plantation is an ancient woodland with the presence of species such as dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) indicative of historical continuity of woodland cover on this site. The ground flora reflects the locally base rich character of the soils, with dog’s mercury dominating the eastern end along with bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and selfheal (Prunella vulgaris). Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) dominates the lower levels. Wet seepage lines hold notable species such as common twayblade (Neottia ovata) and broadleaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) as well as notable mosses and liverworts. The underlying geology is base-rich Silurian shales and greywackes overlain by boulder clay with brown earth soils. Hollows in the wood are composed of damp peaty gley soils.
Species mentioned
Show the 18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tufted hair grass | Deschampsia cespitosa | LC | grass | poaceae |
| broad-leaved helleborine | Epipactis helleborine | DD | herb | orchidaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| dog's mercury | Mercurialis perennis | LC | herb | euphorbiaceae |
| common twayblade | Neottia ovata | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| wood sorrel | Oxalis acetosella | LC | herb | oxalidaceae |
| selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | LC | herb | lamiaceae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| blackthorn | Prunus spinosa | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| elder | Sambucus nigra | LC | shrub | caprifoliaceae |
| sycamore | Acer pseudoplatanus | Not listed in GB list | tree | aceraceae |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| sessile or durmast oak | Quercus petraea | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | LC | tree | rosaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
| ivy | Hedera helix | LC | woody climber | araliaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Lonicera periclymenum, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Ulmus spp. |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Deschampsia cespitosa |
| White admiral Limenitis camilla |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| The anomalous Stilbia anomala |
Vulnerable | Deschampsia cespitosa |
| Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa, Sorbus aucuparia |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa |
| White-spotted pug Eupithecia tripunctaria |
Near Threatened | Sambucus nigra |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
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.