Huntly Wood

Part of the path runs along the River Bann. This section of the river was at the heart of the linen industry in Banbridge and the bank opposite was once lined with mills and factories involved in the production of linen.

The route follows for a short distance the riverside cutting of the former railway which ran from Banbridge to Scarva. Standing and fallen dead and decaying timber supports a wide range of birds and insects and has been left in the wood for this reason. Otters roam the river bank here foraging for food and the wood is a good habitat for bats – 4 of the 8 species of bat found in NI have been identified in the wood.

The majority are Pipistrelle, which can be seen in the early evening between April and September (bats hibernate in the winter). Other species found Soprano pipistrelle, Common pipistrelle, Whiskered bat, Daubenton’s bat and Leisler’s bat. Bats can be seen swarming on warm, summer nights as they feed near the site where the old railway would have crossed the river.