Nature lovers have a chance to feast their eyes upon the eleven hectares (27 acres) of gloriously coloured wildflowers which grace Burntollet Wood each summer.
Owners the Woodland Trust are inviting visitors to take part in a guided woodland walk on Saturday 28 August at 11am.
Burntollet Wood sits in the picturesque Faughan Valley, just south-east of the city of Londonderry. The young wood is in a wonderful location, right next door to Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Ness Country Park – an Area of Special Scientific Interest containing fragments of rare ancient woodland. The ancient woods, together with the nearby Burntollet River, are home to some special wild inhabitants, including the endangered red squirrel.
Vibrant displays of meadow buttercup, yellow rattle, birdsfoot trefoil, red campion, ox-eye daisy and ragged robin await summertime visitors. The flowers, interspersed with clover, barley and oats, provide a valuable habitat for numerous species of insects and birds.
Gregor Fulton, project manager with the Woodland Trust, explained: “We want to give local people and visitors the chance to explore the natural beauty of Burntollet Wood. We’ve carried out a range of works, including the planting of almost 40,000 native trees. As the young trees grow they will buffer the nearby precious ancient woods which dot the banks of the Burntollet River.
“And with August’s colourful display of wildflowers, now is the perfect time to see the wood in all its glory.”
Kissing-gates, wooden seats, and several quaint stone bridges have been installed, while a new pathway now links Burntollet to the Country Park, giving visitors access to almost 9 kilometres of woodland and riverside walks.
The wood’s purchase and works were made possible thanks to funding from Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Forest Service. Support was also received from members of the public, including an amazing boost of £150,000 from an anonymous Canadian tree enthusiast.
Walkers should meet at Ervey Wood car park for an 11 am start on Saturday 28 August. Ervey Wood car park is clearly signposted from the Glenshane Road, not far from Ness Nurseries. The walk is free of charge; stout footwear is required; and anyone wishing to attend should telephone the Woodland Trust in advance on 028 9127 5787.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 51 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk