Wood Anemone is another indicator species for established woodland.The pinkish-white flowers appear in March covering the woodland floor in places about the same time as Primrose is in flower.Bluebells are common in places in the woods producing their familiar blue flowers in May.Other plants include Dogs Mercury and Greater Horsetail.Hazel grows throughout both of the woods, the nuts being favoured by Nuthatch,great-spotted woodpecker and red squirrel.The yellow male catkin of the Hazel may appear as early as January in a mild winter.Hawthorn and Blackthorn are also here.
Most common woodland birds are present including resident goldcrest, Grey heron, nuthatch, treecreeper, tits, jay, sparrowhawk, great-spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, finches and thrushes, kingfisher, grey wagtail, dipper, as well as summer visitors such as redstart, pied and spotted flycatcher,blackcap (top), wood warbler, willow warbler and chiff-chaff (above). Red squirrel, fox, badger and roe deer are present throughout the year. |