Muckle Roe Meadows
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Lowland neutral grassland | Favourable | — | 2022-10-31 |
| F2 | Vascular plant assemblage | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2023-11-27 |
Description
Muckle Roe Meadows Muckle Roe Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises two separate areas in the north east of the island of Muckle Roe, off Shetland’s north-west mainland. It is notified for its species-rich meadow community dominated by populations of hawkweed. Muckle Roe Meadows SSSI provides a unique example in Shetland of a neutral grassland community with a strong maritime influence. Species include primrose Primula vulgaris, yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor, devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and field gentian Gentianella campestris. These meadows support three endemic species (restricted to Shetland) of the genus Hieracium, or hawkweed. They contain the largest known population of H. vinicaule, in association with a small amount of H. subtruncatum and frequent H. klingrahoolense (formerly H. obesifolium). These all belong to the section Alpestria. A small number of a fourth hawkweed, H. sparsifolium (section Tridentata) also grows on the site. It is the only hawkweed of the four which occurs outside Shetland.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| field gentian | Gentianella campestris | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| primrose | Primula vulgaris | LC | herb | primulaceae |
| yellow-rattle | Rhinanthus minor | DD | herb | orobanchaceae |
| devils-bit scabious | Succisa pratensis | VU | herb | caprifoliaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula vulgaris |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Succisa pratensis |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Rhinanthus minor |
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.