Our community is taking direct action to protect our woods, trees and responding to the Climate Crisis.
We are very lucky to have such a wide range of different woodland habitats and species over the island. We have ancient Hazel scrub, remnants of whats classed as a Temperate Scottish Rainforest and a mixture of exotic and non native trees. Our native woodland areas will be planted with Oak, Hazel, Birch, Aspen, Rowan, Wych Elm, Hawthorn, Bird Cherry, Alder, Whitebeam, Elder and Blackthorn. Restoration of our policy woodland areas will include native species along with some non native species like Beech, Horse Chestnut and Field Maple.
The isle of Eigg’s rich diverse habitats supports wildlife such as the endangered Hen Harriers, Golden and White Tailed Eagles. Eigg’s current bird list totals 212 species, an impressive number for an island of its size and location. Approximately 130 species are normally recorded in an average year, of which half of that number are breeding.
Eigg has been rightly called the isle of flowers by naturalists. Its rich and varied plant and insect life includes 500 higher plant species and a bryophyte list numbering well over 300 species of which over 20 are national rarities. A good deal of the island is covered in hazel scrub woodland so that Bluebells, Wild Garlic, Wood Anemone, Wood sorrel and Primroses abound in the spring. Later in the summer, they are replaced by Honeysuckle, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Rose Bay Willowherb and the many other species supporting our butterflies and insects. Work is currently underway to create an updated list of fungi recorded on the island.
To support the work being carried out at Eigg Tree Nursery you can donate towards the project by clicking HERE