Scotch Gill and Borough woods

Scotch Gill and Borough woods are two of the largest remaining areas of natural or semi-natural woodland in Northumberland, most of the rest, which covered well over 90% of the county, have been felled for agriculture or forestry. Indeed much of the felling of native deciduous woodland has continued and even accelerated since the last war resulting in Britain becoming one of the least wooded countries in Europe.It is because of this that these two ancient sites are important and should be managed with care.
Scotch Gill and Borough Woods are typical native woodlands covering the steep sided valley of the Wansbeck. The woods have been traced back to 1724 when they were shown on the maps of Newminster Abbey estates although they certainly pre-date this record considerably.

The ancient character of the woods is typified by some of the plants that can be found growing there,such as Ramsons (known to most people as wild garlic). The leaves appear in March or even late February and carpet the woodland floor until May when the bright white clusters of flowers appear.

Click here for a location map....

Sound recording of Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

The Birder's Market | Resource | Birding locations | Birding sites England | Birding sites Northumberland |  Scotch Gill and Borough woods