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Protected Areas

Breen Wood ASSI

Last updated: 5 February 2010

picture of Breen Wood ASSI

Site No ASSI 161
Area 36 (ha)
Declared Date 13/02/1997
Confirmed Date 31/07/1997
County Antrim
Council(s) Moyle DC
Keywords Invertebrate Assemblage
Upland Oakwood
Wet Woodlands

Breen Wood is a semi-natural, acid woodland dominated by mature oak and downy birch. As a consequence of glaciation, a series of dry ridges and narrow valleys provides different environmental conditions across the site.These conditions are reflected in the character of the wood which ranges from mature stands with a well-developed structure on the ridges, to low, scrubby stands in the valley bottoms.
Species composition reflects the acid conditions.
picture of an otterThese include holly and rowan in the understorey, bilberry in the field layer with great wood-rush frequently dominating the ground flora. The rare moss Hylocomium umbratum has been recorded, its only known location in Northern Ireland. There is a natural transition from woodland to heath to the west of the site. Breeding birds include the rare wood warbler and notable pied flycatcher as well as a rich mixture of perching,song birds and raptors. Mammals include red squirrel and otter.

Site Map and Related Documents

Breen Wood ASSI Map.(.PDF 950Kb)Opens in New window Citation Document (.PDF 160Kb)Opens in New window and Views About Management (VAM) document (.PDF56Kb)Opens in New window