Glen Burn
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Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Glen Burn Mixed ashwoods The area is of special scientific interest because of the richness and diversity of its woodland vegetation. Glen Burn is an area of semi-natural woodland on the slopes of the Glen Burn River. Over the extent of the site, the river flows in a north-westerly direction, within a narrow, steep-sided gorge-like valley. The tree canopy is dense and very varied in its composition, ranging from areas of almost pure hazel Corylus avellana to much more mature stands of ash Fraxinus excelsior. There are several oak Quercus spp. standards. Regeneration of tree seedlings, mainly ash, is taking place. Although a comparatively small site, it is notable for the diversity of its ground flora communities. The majority of the woodland is situated on steep slopes, but flat areas also occur, and a range of communities from acid to base-rich are found. Slope and soil moisture variations account for the distribution of the dominant species, e.g. bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, on the freely-draining upper slopes gives way to ramsons Allium ursinum or wood anemone Anemone nemorosa on the more waterlogged lower slopes. The site contains the scarce plants rough equisetum Equisetum hyemale and toothwort Lathraea squamaria. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/glen-burn-assi
Species mentioned
Show the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ramson | Allium ursinum | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| wood anemone | Anemone nemorosa | LC | herb | ranunculaceae |
| rough equisetum | Equisetum hyemale | LC | herb | equisetaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| toothwort | Lathraea squamaria | LC | herb | orobanchaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
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 | Corylus avellana |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Corylus avellana |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
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.
Plant communities
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa