The slow process of transformation of Carrifran glen from denuded sheepwalk to a diverse habitat akin to the wildwood which would have clothed the valley 6000 years ago has now been under way for over a decade. Trees grow slowly in this tough environment, and it takes years for them even to become visible on distant slopes.
Nonetheless, there is now a lot to see. Volunteer John Savory, who has been planting trees at Carrifran since late 2003, has taken photos from the same spot near the mouth of the valley every summer since then. Most of the trees visible in the 2004 photo were planted in Millennium year, although one or two of the old surviving trees along the burn can just be made out.
The flourishing bracken was already a bit of a problem, swamping some small trees. By 2006 the trees planted on the left-hand (western) slopes are beginning to stand out from surrounding vegetation, but it is another two years before trees can be seen on the distant slopes of Carrifran Gans on the right.
By 2010 it is apparent that woodland establishment is well under way and we know both from casual observations and the annual bird survey, also organised by John, that it is being recognised by woodland species such as willow warbler, siskin, redpoll, great tit, long-tailed tit and blackcap.
