Wednesday 15 April 2015

Visit to Battles Wood, Saturday 11th of April 2015.


In the region of 15 members visited this wood to have a look at and enjoy the spring flowers. We also made a species list of everything we found and recorded over 100 different types of plant, bird, mammal, mosses etc. It was a wonderfully sunny afternoon after a wet morning but with a chilly, blustery wind.

Please note that this is a private wood and we were given permission to visit by the owner Mr Toby Lyons who accompanied us. There is no public access or rights of way.
 
There was a fine show of Primroses in many parts of the wood.
 
 
We recorded both False Oxlips and proper Oxlips.
 

In some parts of the wood there were large areas of Ramsons or Wild Garlic.
In other areas there had been a wonderful display of Wild Daffodils which unfortunately were just about over.
 

 
 
 
On the other hand it is obvious that there is going to be a good display of Bluebells shortly but at present most of them are in bud. Similarly we found good numbers of Goldilocks-the woodland Buttercup which was also still in bud.
 

Birds in evidence included Buzzard, Nuthatch and Mistle Thrush. One Blackbirds nest was found with three eggs.
 
Everyone had a great afternoon of natural history and we were pleased to be able to continue a tradition for this Society which has been visiting the wood at least since the 1940s. Thanks to Mr Lyons for allowing the visit.