Below are pictures taken looking down the Butterfly Ride to show the changing face of the Wood through the year.

Winter in the Wood – What to look out for

As Autumn gives way to Winter, I write this just as we are experiencing our first cold snap of the year, a sure sign, things are certainly a changing.

Most of the leaves are now off the trees forming a lovely golden carpet to kick our way through, but when it is nice and bright the low sun picks out the golds, reds and yellows of the leaves that are still clinging on. The light at this time of year is good and sharp with no summer haze so taking photographs will certainly bring its rewards with some stunning shots. Venture out to see and try for yourself.

On a crisp frosty day take an early morning walk out to the Wood and wonder at the patterns and shapes made by the frost on rotting logs, fallen leaves, and the last of the fungi, or the crunch underfoot as you tread your way through.

If there has been a dew take a moment to look at the spider webs that now show up so much more than they usually do, or just stand a while and you may be rewarded with the call of a Muntjac cutting through the clear air.

Look to the skies however or the tops of the trees and you will be rewarded with the sight of our Wintering Birds as they arrive in our Wood having ventured down from Northern and Eastern Europe as they migrate West. So, what are these birds I hear you ask? Well, the two that you are most likely to see in the Wood are the Fieldfare and Redwing which are cousins of our very own Song and Mistle Thrush. The Fieldfare is Blackbird sized, with a mainly grey head and rump, brown wings, and a lightly speckled breast. Its call is like a loud rattling chatter, that will probably give it away before you see it. The Redwing is more delicate as it is smaller than our Song Thrush with a streaked breast, distinctive white eye stripe breaking up the brown head and of course its red underwing which is visible on the side when perching. Both birds go around in flocks sometimes large and sometimes mixed, hoovering up berries from the hedgerows as they go, before moving off into the open fields to find food there. They arrive on our shores as we are warmer than where they have come from, and there is a plentiful supply of food for them,.

If you are very lucky another Winter visitor is the Waxwing which is Starling sized and easily stands out with its crest. If times are hard in its native Scandinavia and berries are scarce it will move South and West to find the berries. By all accounts this year is looking like one of the best to see them.

Speaking of berries, at this time of year we have a variety of shrubs and bushes looking resplendent with their bright red berries and the most common I guess will be Cotoneaster, Holly, Hawthorn, and Rose Hip, but they won’t be around long if our Winter Birds have their way. Also, the Ivy of which we have an abundance of in the Wood produces berries that our native thrushes, Wood Pigeon, and Blackbird will readily feast on.

Lastly and if you want another reason to put a smile on your face then look out for the Long-tailed Tit, a fluffy little black and white ball with a long tail. You’ll probably hear their high-pitched single note call before you see them. They go around in gangs (family groups) and will appear in the trees near you for about 5 minutes find what they can then move on through.



So, layer up, grab the bins and a camera, and enjoy a Winter wander.