Lenaghan Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.4477, -7.8595

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Fermanagh County

Description

Lenaghan Wood oakwood The area is of special scientific interest for its woodland flora and fauna. The wood is comparatively large and supports a rich assemblage of woodland species. Structural diversity is high throughout, with mature woodland extensive and younger woodland colonising adjacent heathland and wet grassland on the upper slopes. Lenaghan Wood occurs along a small escarpment, with dry woodland predominating on the southern and northern flanks and wetter woodland on the eastern flank. Acid oak woodland occurs on the steepest slopes with a mature canopy dominated by tall sessile oak Quercus petraea, with downy birch Betula pubescens its main associate. holly Ilex aquifolium forms a continuous shrub layer throughout and is occasionally accompanied by rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Below, the woodland floor is covered by a field layer dominated by bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus with a scattering of hay-scented fern Dryopteris aemula and hard fern Blechnum spicant. Herbs tend to be sparse here, with greater wood rush Luzula sylvatica and cow wheat Melampyrum pratense the most frequent. Calcifugous acid-tolerant mosses such as little shaggy-moss Rhytidiadelphus loreus, glittering wood moss Hylocomium splendens, red-stemmed feather-moss Pleurozium schreberi and fork moss Dicranum spp. form an extensive ground cover. Where the slopes are less steep, the woodland becomes more species-rich. Ash Fraxinus excelsior occurs in the canopy, while hazel Corylus avellana, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna contribute to the shrub layer. Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus is less prominent in the field layer, as it is joined by bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata. Herbs also become more frequent, with bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella forming an open carpet with species such as pignut Conopodium majus, tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa and hairy wood rush Luzula pilosa. The wetter parts of the wood provide additional diversity and support a mixed canopy of alder Alnus glutinosa, ash Fraxinus excelsior and downy birch Betula pubescens. Below, the waterlogged soils support lady fern Athyrium filix -femina, creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositijolium, meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria, remote sedge Carex remota and wood horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum. Where the soils are drier there is an increase in the diversity of the ground flora, with wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, lesser celandine Ranunculus ficaria, primrose Primula vulgaris, water avens Geum rivale and yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum common. Lenaghan Wood is a significant locality for lichens in Northern Ireland and its location guarantees a degree of continuity between other lichen-rich sites elsewhere in the west Fermanagh area. This is important given that many of the larger lichens that grow well on a particular tree appear to find it difficult to move to another host, or do so only very slowly. The following species found at Lenaghan Wood are of particular note, Sticta limbata, Sticta sylvatica, Pannaria rubiginosa, Lobaria pulmonaria known as lungwort which grows on willow Salix and more unusually on rowan Sorbus aucuparia and a very large population of Thelotrema lepadinum. In addition, Lenaghan Wood supports a range of woodland animals, including a number of breeding bird species. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/lenaghan-wood-assi

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
hard fern Blechnum spicant LC fern blechnaceae
hay-scented fern Dryopteris aemula LC fern dryopteridaceae
broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata LC fern dryopteridaceae
tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa LC grass poaceae
wood anemone Anemone nemorosa LC herb ranunculaceae
pignut Conopodium majus LC herb apiaceae
wood horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum NT herb equisetaceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
water avens Geum rivale LC herb rosaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum LC herb primulaceae
common cowwheat Melampyrum pratense VU herb orobanchaceae
wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella LC herb oxalidaceae
primrose Primula vulgaris LC herb primulaceae
creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens LC herb ranunculaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. Not listed in GB list herb rosaceae
tree lungwort Lobaria pulmonaria LC lichen no common name
red-eyed shingle lichen Pannaria rubiginosa LC lichen no common name
floury sticta Sticta limbata LC lichen no common name
a stinky sticta Sticta sylvatica LC lichen no common name
barnacle lichen Thelotrema lepadinum LC lichen no common name
glittering wood moss Hylocomium splendens LC moss hypnales
red stemmed feather moss Pleurozium schreberi LC moss hypnales
little shaggy moss Rhytidiadelphus loreus LC moss hypnales
hairy wood-rush Luzula pilosa LC rush juncaceae
great wood rush Luzula sylvatica LC rush juncaceae
remote sedge Carex remota LC sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
billberry Vaccinium myrtillus LC shrub ericaceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
downy birch Betula pubescens LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Speckled footman
Coscinia cribraria
Critically Endangered Vaccinium myrtillus
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus petraea
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna
Duke of Burgundy
Hamearis lucina
Endangered Primula vulgaris
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Melampyrum pratense
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Vaccinium myrtillus
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Filipendula ulmaria
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Rubus fruticosus
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Quercus petraea
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Ranunculus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Sorbus aucuparia
Rosy marsh moth
Coenophila subrosea
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
The Silurian
Eriopygodes imbecilla
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Quercus spp.
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus petraea
Scotch burnet
Zygaena exulans
Near Threatened Vaccinium myrtillus
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.

Plant communities

M26 — Limestone pavement, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Crepis paludosa mire

Matches 6 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Hylocomium splendens, Primula vulgaris

Carex appropinquata, Carex disticha, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Aulacomnium palustre, Plagiomnium undulatum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Campylium elodes, Climacium dendroides, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium repens, Menyanthes trifoliata, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus auricomus, Trollius europaeus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M24 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow

Matches 5 species from the description above: Alnus glutinosa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Primula vulgaris, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Salix cinerea, Salix repens, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum subnitens, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Leontodon saxatilis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Drosera rotundifolia, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Hypericum undulatum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Linum catharticum, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Epipactis palustris, Gymnadenia conopsea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Galium verum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M22 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow

Matches 4 species from the description above: Deschampsia cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus repens

Salix cinerea, Solanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex disticha, Carex elata, Carex flacca, Carex hirta, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Cratoneuron filicinum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Lophocolea bidentata, Angelica sylvestris, Berula erecta, Oenanthe lachenalii, Thyselium palustre, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria palustris, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin palustre, Ajuga reptans, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Epilobium parviflorum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Epipactis palustris, Pedicularis palustris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Scrophularia auriculata, Scutellaria galericulata, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Calamagrostis canescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Thelypteris palustris

M23 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland rush pasture

Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture

Matches 4 species from the description above: Deschampsia cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus repens

Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rivulare, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Calypogeia fissa, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis secunda, Cardamine flexuosa, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Stellaria graminea, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium obscurum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica scutellata, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris expansa, Athyrium filix-femina

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 4 species from the description above: Deschampsia cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Pleurozium schreberi, Rubus fruticosus agg.

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis