Bohill Forest

Bohill Forest is a small coniferous woodland near Drumaness in County Down, Northern Ireland. It covers about 39 hectares, with a 2.8-hectare nature reserve inside it. The reserve was set up to protect the holly blue butterfly, which is rare in Northern Ireland. The land was once clear-felled and later left to regrow naturally. Today, patches of deciduous trees like holly, oak, birch, rowan and hazel stand alongside conifers. The site is important because it provides the right conditions for the holly blue butterfly to thrive. Sunny clearings and the presence of holly and ivy help the butterfly complete its life cycle. Other wildlife includes woodland birds such as goldcrests, jays, chiffchaffs and blackcaps. Red deer also leave signs of their presence in the forest. The reserve supports a variety of mosses, liverworts and ferns on shaded rocky slopes. Visitors walk along Forest Service tracks from the public road to the east. There are no formal paths or facilities, just open woodland and clearings. The best time to see butterflies and birds is between April and June. The forest’s quiet slopes and mixed habitats offer a peaceful place to observe nature.