Site of the Month: Hannahston Community Woodland (August 2023)

Hannahston, at Drongan, has a history of coal extraction with opencast mining in operation until as recently as 1996, when reclamation of the site into a community facility began. As a result, most of the trees are still fairly young, but they already support birds such as Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus, whilst Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine grows on the woodland floor. There are also extensive areas of flower-rich grassland, with Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops butterflies and a good range of hoverflies and other insects. Plus several ponds that are good for dragonflies, with reedy or marshy margins, where Herons Ardea cinerea hunt and the squeal of the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus can sometimes be heard. Access is provided via a network of well-maintained paths, and a boardwalk platform beside one of the ponds.

Peter Norman

SWSEIC Project Officer