Woodland and Scrub

Blue Bells

Broad leaved woodland is the natural vegetation cover for most of Northern Ireland however, because of man's activities since Neolithic times, only remnants of this coverage remain. Although the overall percentage of forest cover in Northern Ireland is around 6% this includes non native coniferous forest. The percentage of native woodland in Northern Ireland is one of the lowest in Europe at only 2%.

Breen Oak Wood

Mature woodland is characterised by a high canopy, a shrub layer and usually a layer of flowering plants such as bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic. It is an important habitat for mammals such as the red squirrel, and various birds and insects. They also support a range of specialist plants such as mosses, ferns and fungi which help to recycle nutrients. Buzzards and sparrowhawks are also often found within this habitat. Woodland areas remain one of the richest habitats for wildlife in Northern Ireland and need careful management. Within the Causeway Coast and Glens there are several important broad leaved woodlands including Banagher Glen near Limavady, Straidkilly near Carnlough and Breen Oak Wood near Ballycastle.