Rathlin Island - Kebble

Rathlin Island – Kebble has been declared as an ASSI because of its heathland, grassland and wetland vegetation, in addition to its associated plant and animal species. The habitats and species tend to occur only where traditional farming practices have been maintained and are consequently rare within Northern Ireland.

Rathlin Island – Kebble is situated on the western most part of Rathlin Island and is managed as a nature reserve by Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The complex pattern of heathland, grassland and wetland habitats form a mosaic of vegetation within a varied topography of plateaux and valleys. The majority of heath on Kebble is dry in character and is dominated by Heather, Bell Heather and Western Gorse.  This distinctive type of heath is restricted in its distribution within the British Isles and Rathlin is its most northerly locale.  Herbs present include Tormentil, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Heath Speedwell and Early Dog-violet.  Where there is localised exposure of the minerals within the basalt, forbs such as Eyebright and Mountain Everlasting occur.

In between the dry heath plateaux, surface depressions have impeded drainage and are covered by a mixture of wet heath, where Cross-leaved Heather is prominent, and acid grassland with species such as Mat-grass and Purple-Moor Grass. Herbs and grasses are scattered amongst the wet heath and include Heath-grass, Sheep’s-fescue, Bog Asphodel and Deergrass.

Towards the sea cliffs with the increased influence of saltspray from the Atlantic Ocean, coastal heath has developed.  This type of heath is vegetatively similar to the dry heath but has maritime plant species throughout.  The coastal heath has Heather and Bell Heather, but with Western Gorse absent.  Distinctive coastal herbs appear such as Spring Squill and Sea Plantain.

Rathlin Island - Kebble contains a rich assemblage of wet grassland vegetation types, which have developed where the soils are flushed by mineral-rich waters derived from the underlying basalt.  Species such as Bog Pimpernel, Flea Sedge, Carnation Sedge, Common Sedge, Yellow Sedge and Black Bog-rush are locally abundant in the flushed areas.  Often the swards contain the dwarf shrubs Cross-leaved Heath and Creeping Willow.

The channels or plateau bottoms within Rathlin Island - Kebble contain small lakes and the hydrology associated with these has created wet channels where fen vegetation has developed.  The fens are generally sedge-dominated with Bottle Sedge, Greater Tussock-sedge, Lesser Tussock-sedge, White Sedge and the notable Bog-sedge.  Some dwarf shrubs are present within the fen and these include Cross-leaved Heath and Crowberry.  Herbs are frequent amongst the sedge-rich sward and include Marsh Cinquefoil, Bogbean, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Bog Asphodel and Marsh Pennywort.  

In the dry acid grassland around Kebble cottage the rare plant Pyramidal Bugle occurs.  This plant is particularly rare within Northern Ireland, only occurring on Rathlin Island.  Pyramidal Bugle occurs within acid grassland/heath mosaic containing species such as Sheep’s-fescue and Sweet Vernal grass.   

The grasslands and heath/grassland mosaics are rich in grassland fungi.  Such areas are often described as “waxcap grasslands” because of the range of waxcap fungi from the genus Hygrocybe that are found. At Rathlin Island - Kebble, waxcaps are fairly frequent in areas where soil nutrient is low, and species such as Snowy Waxcap, Scarlet Waxcap, Oily Waxcap and Meadow Waxcap are generally fairly common.  Less frequently recorded species include Crimson Waxcap, Yellow Foot Waxcapand Nitrous Waxcap.  In addition the UK BAP species Pink Waxcap has been recorded on several occasions.  A range of other grassland fungi, representing other genera and taxa, are also found here, reflecting low soil nutrient status.  These include species such as Golden Spindles, Ivory Coral, the notable Dark-purple Earthtongue and the UK BAP species, Olive Earthtongue.

Rathlin Island – Kebble provides valuable feeding and resting sites for a range of animals, including invertebrates.  Breeding waders are associated with the fen, wet grassland and wet heathland habitats, with Snipe and Lapwing both present.  In 2009 5 pairs of Lapwing bred within the site, a notable population of this species.  In addition Chough regularly feed within the habitats on Rathlin Island - Kebble.

Many of these plants and animals are only found in habitats where traditional forms of land management are used. The use of artificial fertilisers, herbicides or the application of manure or slurry would cause a reduction in plant numbers on the site. When soils become more fertile, grasses tend to thrive, growing faster and taller. Smaller plants such as orchids are not able to compete with the tougher grasses and as a result are lost.

Correct management is essential for special places like Rathlin Island – Kebble. If, for example, grazing was to cease, the habitats would quickly become rank and scrub would invade. This would cause a reduction in the numbers of grasses and wildflowers found here. Traditional agricultural practices will ensure the survival of the rich range of species at Rathlin Island – Kebble.

Site Related Documents

Site map (.PDF 2.94Mb) & Citation and Views about Management document (.PDF 499Kb)