This project offered an opportunity to secure and enhance the biodiversity resource within surrounding ancient woodland fragments and PAWS, by increasing connectivity and creating new habitats for ancient woodland specialists to colonise over time.

Future Woodland Scotland visited the site in 2022 to assess the new woodland creation scheme and noted the evidence of advance regeneration and remnant woodland specialist ground flora. A previous exclosure below the proposed scheme has regenerated successfully so we provided a seedling survey and financial support for this 49 hectares of ghost woodland restoration.

Application made

19th May 2022

Protected species

Pearl-bordered Fritillary within 1km. Chequered Skipper, Otter within 2km. Wild Cat, Pine Marten, Water Vole, Red Squirrel within 5km.

Birds

Black grouse and range of birds of prey species with 5km, including Golden Eagle, Merlin, Hen Harrier and Goshawk.

Opportunities

Expansion of important woodland habitat networks including ancient woodland fragments and PAWS restoration sites. Extending the Loch Sunart native woodland habitat and connecting to Sunart SSSI / SAC designated sites. Enhancement of biodiversity resources.

Land manager objectives

To create a new area of native woodland that will:

• buffer and connect existing Ancient Semi-natural Woodlands
• buffer and connect with an area of PAWS which is currently under conversion to native woodland
• connect to the Sunart SSSI/SAC, extending the Loch Sunart native woodland habitat network
• contribute to climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon.