Duddon Valley Woodlands

Duddon Valley Woodlands are one of the largest series of woodlands in the Lake District. The woodland is in a mosaic of several habitats including flushes, mires and acidic grassland.^[1]

On the lower slopes of the valley, the habitat is oak-birch woodland. Herbaceous plants include bluebell and wood sorrel. Fern species on these lower slopes include broad buckler-fern, narrow buckler-fern, scaly male-fern and lady-fern. Moss species on these lower slopes include Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Mnium hornum and Thuidium tamariscinum.^[1]

On the upper slopes there is oak-birch woodland, but a different composition of herbs and moss species. Moss species on upper slopes include Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum formosum, Dicranum majus, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Isothecium myosuroides, Leucobryum glaucum and Grimmia retracta. The liverwort Jamesoniella autumnalis has also been recorded in this protected area.^[1]

In some of the woodlands there are peat-filled hollows. In these hollows moss species include Sphagnum recurvum and Sphagnum palustre. The plant bog asphodel has also been recorded.^[1]

Weevil species associated with dead wood and leaf litter that have been recorded in this protected area include Acalles ptinoides, Caenopsis fissirobris and Trachodes hispidus.^[1]

Both the National Trust and the Forestry Commission own land within Duddon Valley Woodlands SSSI (part of Rainsbarrow Wood is owned by the Forestry Commission).^[3]