Townhead Burn
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Upland mixed ash woodland | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2024-08-15 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Townhead Burn Townhead Burn lies approximately 2km southwest of Carluke. It comprises an outstanding example of semi-natural deciduous gorge woodland. The ash-wych elm woodland has an excellent stock of well grown mature standard trees, particularly along the northern bank of Townhead Gill. To the west of Townhead burn there is an area of mature oak and bird cherry is common throughout the woodland. The rich ground flora includes wood stitchwort Stellaria nemorum, and broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine.
Species mentioned
Show the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| broad-leaved helleborine | Epipactis helleborine | DD | herb | orchidaceae |
| wood stitchwort | Stellaria nemorum | LC | herb | carophyllacaea |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Stellaria 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.