Scotch Gill & Borough Woods 

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.Wood Anemone is another indicator species for established woodland.The pinkish-white flowers appear in March covering the woodland floor in places about the same time as Primrose is in flower.Bluebells are common in places in the woods producing their familiar blue flowers in May.Other plants include Dogs Mercury and Greater Horsetail.Hazel grows throughout both of the woods, the nuts being favoured by Nuthatch,great-spotted woodpecker and red squirrel.The yellow male catkin of the Hazel may appear as early as January in a mild winter.Hawthorn and Blackthorn are also here.

Most common woodland birds are present including resident goldcrest, Grey heron, nuthatch, treecreeper, tits, jay, sparrowhawk, great-spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, finches and thrushes, kingfisher, grey wagtail, dipper, as well as summer visitors such as redstart, pied and spotted flycatcher,blackcap, wood warbler possible but now scarce, willow warbler and chiff-chaff (main picture). Red squirrel, fox, badger and roe deer are present throughout the year.

Birds you may hear at Scotch Gill

Scotch Gill is best visited in April / May where songbirds will be vocal and therefore easier to see. All common woodland birds are joined in spring by summer visitors including Blackcap and Chiff-chaff.