Loch Beannach Islands
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Upland birch woodland | Favourable | — | 2010-03-30 |
Description
Loch Beannach Islands Loch Beannach Islands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises the eastern half of Loch Beannach, approximately 6km northeast of Lochinver, Sutherland. This site is nationally important for the birch woodland on eight islands within Loch Beannach. The islands of Loch Beannach support birch-rowan woodland with an unusually diverse ground flora. The woodland canopy is dominated by birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia with aspen, holly and a shoreline fringe of alder Alnus glutinosa. Juniper Juniperus communis occurs on some of the islands and the brown earth soils support a comparatively rich flora including bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, red campion Silene dioica, climbing corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata, herb robert Geranium robertianum, wild angelica Angelica sylvestris and hay-scented buckler-fern Dryopteris aemula.
Species mentioned
Show the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hay-scented fern | Dryopteris aemula | LC | fern | dryopteridaceae |
| wild angelica | Angelica sylvestris | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| climbing corydalis | Ceratocapnos claviculata | LC | herb | papaveraceae |
| herb Robert | Geranium robertianum | LC | herb | geraniaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| red campion | Silene dioica | LC | herb | carophyllaceae |
| juniper | Juniperus communis | CR | shrub | cupressaceae |
| alder | Alnus glutinosa | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| downy birch | Betula pubescens | LC | tree | betulaceae |
| rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | LC | tree | rosaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Sorbus aucuparia |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp. |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp. |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Sorbus aucuparia |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Brindled ochre Dasypolia templi |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| White-spotted pug Eupithecia tripunctaria |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp. |
| Swallowtail papilio Papilio machaon |
Near Threatened | Angelica sylvestris |
| 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.