Feystown

Also within

Antrim County Antrim Coast and Glens Scenic Area

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Feystown Wood Crane's-bill This area is of special scientific interest because it is one of the main localities for wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum in Ireland. This Schedule 8 species is confined to County Antrim, where it historically existed along the coast from Killyglen near Lame to Glenarm. Feystown is the most significant remaining population of this species and is located approximately 5km southeast of Glenarm along the Feystown Road. At Feystown, wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum is found in a neutral grassland habitat characterised by a variety of grasses and associated herbs. It is similar to the grassland type with which the species is generally associated in Northern Britain. Constant components of the sward include sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, common bent Agrostis capillaris, rough stalked meadow grass Poa trivialis, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and red fescue Festuca rubra. Herbs are also abundant in this grassland and along with wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum, include species typical of traditionally managed meadows such as meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, common knapweed Centaurea nigra and meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis. Less frequent species include yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor and bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus. Feystown is a small area of semi-natural grassland managed in a traditional way. As such, it provides valuable feeding and roosting sites for a range of animals, including birds and invertebrates. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/feystown-assi

Species mentioned

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.

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.