Jessica Fung
Grey willow is typically the main species in wet willow woodland. There are a range of willow species that you can find in wet woodland, however this is the preferred one. Unlike the other willow species, grey willow is scrubbier, with branches that twist in and around each other compared with other willows whose branches grow much straighter. This twisting growth makes it more suitable as a willow tit’s habitat.
Grey willow - Brian Eversham
Willow tits are small woodland birds who depend on wet willow woodlands for their survival. Preserving these habitats is important as willow tits are a red listed species and one of the UK’s fastest declining bird, with a 94 per cent decrease in numbers since 1970s. Wet willow woodlands are ideal as they are scruffy in appearance with species they can use for nesting. Willow tits create their nest by excavating holes in dead wood, in particular alder, willow, elder and birch, all of which are present in wet woodlands. The best way to describe a willow tit habitat is a young scrubby woodland, with plenty of dead wood and impossible for us humans to pass through.
Willow tit at Pennington Flash. Photo by Peter Smith
Goat moths are large night flying moths with a wingspan of 95mm. Their larvae depend on species typically found in wet willow woodlands. The goat moth larvae burrow into broadleaved trees such as willow, birch, ash and alder where they spend five years feeding on the wood. Typically, adults can be seen flying between June - July. They are nationally scarce and a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species - learn more about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan here.
Can you help us find a photo of a goat moth? Email info@lancswt.org.uk if you can help!
The lunar hornet clearwing is a species of day flying moth that is widespread across England and Wales and has a wingspan of 30-38mm. The larvae of this species feed on willow found in wet woodland. The larvae burrow into the willow, feeding on the wood for two years. Lunar hornet moths can be seen flying between June – August and look like hornets to deter potential predators – this is called Batesian Mimicry. Find out more about mimicry here.
Lunar hornet moth, by Heysham Bird Observatory
Helleborines are members of the orchid family and are regularly seen in wet willow woodlands, often found in areas of little to partial shade. There are many species but only four of them are likely to be seen in the project area; broad-leaved helleborine, dune helleborine, marsh helleborine and green-flowered helleborine. They are quite inconspicuous with drooping cream coloured flowers, and leaves that spiral round the stem, varying in height from 10-80 cm. You can learn the identifying features for each species using our identification guide.
Helleborine identification guide
Broad-leaved helleborine by Philip Precey
There are many other species found in wet woodlands. Check out our spotters' sheets to see what you can find in a wet willow woodland.
