Burntollet Wood DVD

Vibrant displays of yellow rattle, cuckooflower, birdsfoot trefoil, red campion and ox-eye daisy await visitors this July and August. The flowers, interspersed with barley and oats, provide a valuable habitat for numerous species of insects and birds.

Burntollet Wood, owned and cared for by the Woodland Trust, sits in the beautiful Faughan Valley, just outside Londonderry. Still in its infancy, the wood is right beside Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Ness Country Park, which boasts fragments of rare ancient woodland and precious wild inhabitants such as the red squirrel.

Gregor Fulton, site manager with the Woodland Trust, he hoped local people and visitors would discover the natural beauty of Burntollet Wood.

“Now is the perfect time to see the wood in all its glory. The wildflowers, now in their third year, are busy with insects and birds. We’ve spotted merlins and huge flocks of stunning goldfinches, who swoop down for their fill of seed before disappearing back into the hedgerows,” he said.

The Woodland Trust has planted over 43,000 native trees at Burntollet, mostly oak with scatterings of ash, alder and wild cherry. Kissing-gates, wooden seats, and several quaint stone bridges have been installed, and a new pathway links Burntollet to the Country Park, giving visitors access to almost nine kilometres of woodland and riverside walks.

“A walk through Burntollet, with its views over the stunning Faughan Valley, is a must for you and your family this summer. And if you want to make a day of it, put your walking boots on and explore Ness Country Park and its ancient woods which dot the banks of the Burntollet River. We’ve produced a new leaflet and dvd which will help you on your way,” said Gregor.

For a preview of Burntollet and its picturesque neighbours, take a look at the short film on www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/burntollet

For a copy of the leaflet, telephone the Woodland Trust on 028 9127 5787.