Lainshaw Drive

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Lainshaw Drive

This site lies just off the B766 Carmunnock Road, between Lainshaw Drive and Holmbyre Road.

Status - City Wide SINC
Grid Reference NS590586

Description

This 5.5 hectare site is a steeply inclined northwest facing slope, consisting of species-rich grasslands with planted woodland. It is important for the richness of the plant species it contains and the wildlife these support. Scattered growth of gorse and bramble add to the habitat value but threaten to invade the grassland as does the developing rosebay willowherb. Bullfinch, greenfinch, willow warbler and whitethroat have been recorded here as well as many butterflies and moths.

The habitat type found at this site is similar to nearby Netherton Braes, giving an indication of what was once a much larger habitat before the encroachment of the city.

Habitat Types

Woodland
A mixture of young trees including oak, ash, birch and rowan have been planted, creating additional habitat while avoiding the most sensitive grassland.
Grassland
Greater butterfly-orchid and common spotted-orchid are abundant in the grassland while species such as yellow rattle, tormentil, common knapweed and devil's-bit scabious add diversity and interest. Damper areas are indicated by the growth of sedges and rushes.

Animal Life

Meaddow Brown Six-Spot Burnet Moth Bullfinch

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) butterfly is found in almost any grassy area from hillsides to roadside verges. Unlike many butterflies it will fly even in the dullest weather.

Six-spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipenulae) has beautiful iridescent turquoise and rosy-pink wings. They can be easily spotted compared to most moths as they fly during the day but unfortunately they can only be seen at a few sites in Glasgow. Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) are best seen along woodland edges and the males are unmistakeable with their distinctive pink underbody and black cap and face. They eat shoots, buds and the seeds of fleshy fruits.

Plant Life

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Devils Bit Crop

Knapweed

Greater Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) is a good indicator of long-established wild grassland and persists at a few sites in Glasgow, mostly in the south-west of the city. This white-flowered orchid is capable of long distance dispersal due to its dust-like seeds. Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) has mauve flowers which add colour to grasslands in summer and attract bees and other insects including the six-spot burnet moth.
Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is reminiscent of a thistle without the sharp spines. It can be particularly abundant in ungrazed meadows on richer soils.


Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) butterfly is found in almost any grassy area from hillsides to roadside verges. Unlike many butterflies it will fly even in the dullest weather.	Six-spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipenulae) has beautiful iridescent turquoise and rosy-pink wings. They can be easily spotted compared to most moths as they fly during the day but unfortunately they can only be seen at a few sites in Glasgow.	Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) are best seen along woodland edges and the males are unmistakeable with their distinctive pink underbody and black cap and face. They eat shoots, buds and the seeds of fleshy fruits.


Greater Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) is a good indicator of long-established wild grassland and persists at a few sites in Glasgow, mostly in the south-west of the city. This white-flowered orchid is capable of long distance dispersal due to its dust-like seeds.	Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) has mauve flowers which add colour to grasslands in summer and attract bees and other insects including the six-spot burnet moth.	Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is reminiscent of a thistle without the sharp spines. It can be particularly abundant in ungrazed meadows on richer soils.

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