On an overcast
afternoon 12 members of the society were given a guided tour of this Essex
Wildlife Trust Reserve by the warden Mike Rowley.
Strict control of
deer numbers has paid dividends with regard to the large number of wild spring
flowers that we enjoyed during the afternoon.
Oxlips.
Bluebells.
Dog Violets.
Early Purple Orchid.
Large areas of Ladies Smock.
Common Twayblade in
the pre-flowering stage.
The wood is largely Ash
and Hazel coppice with Oak standards. A large number of conifers have been
removed in recent years to allow the natural woodland to regenerate.
Newly coppiced areas
are protected using tall chestnut fencing.
Unfortunately, Ash
dieback disease is prevalent throughout the wood and is particularly attacking
younger shoots.
