This new woodland creation scheme was a welcome application from a small farming enterprise who wish to make a long-term commitment to woodland expansion on the property. Auchingee is a farm located on improved grassland and the landowner has been planting trees on the farm since he was a child. The family was keen to continue to improve the landscape, providing shelter and opportunities to encourage ecological diversity. Future Woodlands Scotland provided technical and financial support for surveys and grant applications.

Application made

18th February 2022

Protected species

Otter recorded locally

Birds

Various birds recorded as present on and nearby site – including Lapwing, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank

Opportunities

• Assisting landscape improvement via expansion of woodland within farming area and on periphery of post-industrial sites (coal mining)
• Biodiversity enhancement and shelter provision
• Progression to providing linkage to exiting small farm woodlands / shelterbelts
• Would provide enhanced ecological diversity and shelter in open farming landscape

Land manager objectives

• To provide an enhanced wildlife habitat
• To sequester carbon and mitigate against climate change
• To diversify the farming business and improve overall efficiency
• To integrate with existing farm woodlands and enhance overall shelter provision