About the reserve

This Site of Special Scientific Interest features different habitats that provide homes for a mix of wildlife. The mature woodland in the northern half of the reserve is dominated by ash, while the southern part is mainly blackthorn with some oak. Primroses in the spring are followed by bluebells and early purple and common-spotted orchids. Nuthatch and warblers can be heard, and the reserve is a nesting site for nightingales.

In summer, the black hairstreak butterfly perches on flowering brambles weaving from plant to plant with its characteristically jerky flight. The caterpillars feed on blackthorn and we have created protected fenced areas of coppiced blackthorn to ensure the best habitat for these rare creatures, whose range is restricted to a few woods between Oxford and Peterborough.

Elsewhere in the wood, we thin trees as needed to promote an open woodland structure and manage the grassy glades and rides.

Reserve leaflet and map

Additional information

• Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.