Hazel catkins

The woodland walkways are an excellent place to see Brimstone Butterfly's. The Brimstone larval require limestone areas where Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn grow their main food source.

Crossing the foot bridge

Erkina river

An Otter (lutra lutra) was seen swimming in the river as we crossed the footbridge, great to see!

Wood Anemone

Three Ladybirds

Old timber dams

Larch timber was traditionally used to block small drains.

Enjoying the sunshine in Durrow

Catherine and Anne Marie checking out the Interpretation panel

Interpretation panel

Durrow Co Laois on the 23/3/2011.

Bishops Wood and Knockanoran woodland is an alluvial woodland just outside Durrow Co Laois off the R434.  Lat: 52° 51" 6.479'   Long: -7° 24" 46.74' .
The site is a natural floodplain of the Erkina river and is listed on Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directive. Alluvial woodlands are very scarce in Ireland and especially in Europe, they occur where sediment accumulates due the action of water. The priority site covers 95.2 ha on either side of the Erkina river where restoration techniques are been carried out to improve the biodiversity of the area. The removal of non native tree species and efforts to reinstate natural water flow are the main areas of restoration. The work is carried out by Coillte and is funded from the EU LIFE PROJECT.

Visit a LIFE woodland near you!