Flowers of the Machair

Machair is a unique and diverse type of coastal ecosystem found in certain coastal areas of the UK. Machair is a Gaelic word meaning fertile, low-lying grassy plain.  It is characterised by its rich, sandy soil, which is often made up of shell fragments and calcareous materials. This is referred to as a calcareous lime-rich sand. Machair habitats are known for their high biodiversity and vibrant displays of wildflowers in June and July. Having seen Machair on my travels around Scotland it really is beautiful and a habitat that needs protecting for the future.

Factors needed for machair to be found are very specific and include:

• Gently shelving sandy beach
• West or south-westerly
• Sand with a very high volume of shell fragments
• Cool temperatures even in summer
• Frequent high winds
• High level of rainfall
• Low-lying land close to the water table
• Low level of animal grazing and low intensity of farming

Common flowers found in Machair Grasslands

Machair contains a wide variety of wildflowers many of which are commonly found on the coast. It is the sheer number that makes Machair so special to see with up to 40 different species in each square metre. The flower species will vary from one location to another depending on the composition of the soil and the farming practices over the years. There will also be variations through the summer months as different flowers come into bloom.

Species that may be found include:

1. Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum): Lady’s Bedstraw is a small, creeping plant with clusters of bright yellow, fragrant flowers.
2. Bird’s-Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus): This plant is recognised by its vibrant yellow flowers with red markings.
3. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia): Harebell is a delicate, bell-shaped blue flower that adds spots of blue amongst the yellows and pinks of the machair landscape.
4. Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria): Kidney Vetch displays clusters of small, yellow flowers and is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
5. Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor): Yellow Rattle has small, yellow, hooded flowers and is a semi-parasitic plant, which can help maintain plant diversity in the machair.
6. Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii): This orchid species adds a delicate touch to the machair with its purple-spotted flowers.
7. Thrift (Armeria maritima): Thrift, also known as Sea Thrift, is a tufted plant with pink or white globe-shaped flowers.
8. Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea): Fragrant Orchid is one of the orchid species found in the machair. It is known for its delicate and intricate flowers, that form a pink cone on top of a long stem.
9. Northern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella): Another orchid species found in the machair, the Northern Marsh Orchid, has a deep violet flower with purple markings. Up to 80 flowers can be found on each plant in a dense spike.
10. Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.): Buttercups, with their shiny yellow petals, can be found scattered across the machair.
11. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): Meadowsweet is a tall plant with clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers. It has a feathery appearance and a sweet scent.

Where is Machair found?

Machair is most prominent in the Western Isles of Scotland, the northwest coast of Scotland, and the northwestern and western coasts of Ireland. It is not found anywhere else in the world and in Scotland and Ireland is only found on exposed west-facing coastlines.

• Outer Hebrides
  • North Uist
  • South Uist
  • Monach Islands
  • Benbecula
  • Tiree
  • Barra
  • Coll
  • Lewis and Harris
• Inner Hebrides (not all are true machair with shell-rich soil)
  • Oronsay (true machair)
  • Mull
  • Skye
  • Jura
• Other areas in Scotland (not all are true machair with shell-rich soil)
  • Shetland
  • Orkney
  • Oldshoremore and Sandwood are the two largest areas of machair on the Scottish mainland
• Ireland
  • Slyne Head Peninsula
  • Omey Island
  • Horn Head
  • Errismore
  • In Ireland, machair is protected and a full list of sites is available here

Wildlife found in Machair

Machair habitats support an array of wildlife, from birds to insects. These are some of the key species found thriving in Scotland’s machair regions:

• Corn Crake (Crex crex): The machair is a crucial habitat for corn crakes, which are elusive birds known for their distinctive raspy call. The machair provides suitable nesting and foraging grounds for these birds.
• Twite (Carduelis flavirostris): Twites are small finches that are often associated with machair habitats. They feed on the seeds of plants growing in the machair, contributing to the ecosystem’s balance.
• Dunlin (Calidris alpina): Dunlins are shorebirds commonly found in coastal areas, including machair habitats. They forage for invertebrates in sandy and muddy areas.
• Common Redshank (Tringa totanus): These wading birds are frequently spotted in machair regions, particularly around wetland areas. They feed on insects, worms, and small crustaceans.
• Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula): Ringed plovers, known for their distinctive black and white markings, often nest on sandy beaches and coastal areas, making machair a suitable habitat.
• Northern Colletes Bee (Colletes floralis): This bee species is associated with machair habitats and is known for its solitary nesting behaviour. It plays a role in pollination within the ecosystem.
• Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus): The great yellow bumblebee is a rare and declining species that finds suitable forage in the machair. It plays a crucial role in pollination.
• Moss Carder Bee (Bombus muscorum): Another bumblebee species, the moss carder bee, is often found in machair areas, contributing to the pollination of plants.

The machair’s unique combination of sandy soil, abundant wildflowers, and proximity to wetland areas creates an ideal environment for these bird species and rare insects. The conservation of machair habitats is essential for maintaining biodiversity and supporting these species.

Future of Machair

These coastal areas are known for their sandy, calcareous soils, which provide a unique environment for these wildflowers to thrive. However, as farming practices change and the crofting style of low-intensity farming declines, the future of this unique habitat is threatened. It is not just the wildflowers that need protection but the habitats that they support. Rare great yellow bumble bees and the unusual belted beauty moths are found in the Machair and will vanish if the habitat is not protected.