Hi-tech protection for hairy ants
The Forestry Commission is plotting the location of nests to avoid disturbing them
Nests made by the hairy northern wood ant have been given a GPS address by the Forestry Commission to protect them during ongoing work to restore a Northumberland forest to its ancient roots.
Some of the fantastic conical structures - the biggest of their kind in the UK - have grown to as large as 7ft high and the organisation is eager to protect them while work to improve Holystone wood is undertaken.
Spokesman Jonathan Farries said: "Holystone is one of the most important ancient woods in Northumberland and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
"This long-term project will see many of the conifers planted in the 20th century removed to allow native species like oak and birch to regenerate. But we are tweaking our plans to ensure that the wood ant nests continue to thrive."
Rangers have identified 69 ant nests in the areas affected by the work and have mapped each on a computer - a process that will allow them to take their presence into consideration when planning or carrying out forest operations.
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