EcologyEcologyHabitat StudyHabitat Study

By: Shane Lyons and Dualta By: Shane Lyons and Dualta SweeneySweeney

Derrycrag Wood - WoodfordDerrycrag Wood - Woodford

Derrycrag wood consists of 230 acresDerrycrag wood consists of 230 acres

Types of Trees in Types of Trees in Derrycrag WoodDerrycrag Wood

Sessile OakSessile Oak

This wood mainly This wood mainly consisted of Sessile oak.consisted of Sessile oak.

Sessile Oak Sessile Oak provide a provide a habitat for more than habitat for more than 300 species of insect, 300 species of insect, which provides food for which provides food for birds and other birds and other predators. predators.

Sessile OakSessile Oak The bark also provides a The bark also provides a

habitat for mosses, lichens habitat for mosses, lichens and liverworts, and and liverworts, and deadwood cavities for deadwood cavities for nesting birds and roosting nesting birds and roosting bats. The acorns are eaten bats. The acorns are eaten by a number of birds and by a number of birds and mammals.mammals.

The soft leaves break down The soft leaves break down with ease in autumn and with ease in autumn and form a rich leaf mould form a rich leaf mould beneath the tree, supporting beneath the tree, supporting beetles and numerous fungi.beetles and numerous fungi.

Other Types of TreesOther Types of Trees

BIRCH

SCOTS PINE

ROWEN

YEW

Type of SoilType of Soil

AcidicAcidic

Brown earthBrown earth

Flora – The Bird CherryFlora – The Bird Cherry Along the River in the wood there is a remarkably rich flora, Along the River in the wood there is a remarkably rich flora,

including the Bird Cherry. including the Bird Cherry. The spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and The spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and

pollen for bees, while the cherries are eaten by birds including pollen for bees, while the cherries are eaten by birds including the blackbird and song thrush, as well as mammals such as the the blackbird and song thrush, as well as mammals such as the badger, wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and dormouse.The badger, wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and dormouse.The foliage is eaten by caterpillar.foliage is eaten by caterpillar.

Scarce Flora seen in Derrycrag Scarce Flora seen in Derrycrag include:include:

Blue eyed grassBlue eyed grass

Lesser MeadowLesser Meadow

WoodrushWoodrush

FaunaFauna

Derrycrag wood is Derrycrag wood is home to many home to many butterflies, including:butterflies, including:

Small White ButteflySmall White Buttefly

Green Veined ButterflyGreen Veined Butterfly

Animals found in Derrycrag Wood:Animals found in Derrycrag Wood:

Pine MartenPine Marten

Fallow DeerFallow Deer

Otter Otter

Red SquirrelRed Squirrel

BirdsBirds

TreecreeperTreecreeper

JayJay

SparrowhawkSparrowhawk