Stoke Wood End Quarter
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Part of a larger woodland noted for its plant life and a home to dormice |
Undisturbed for so long, the wood contains a great variety of plants. The soil is mainly calcareous clay, which encourages wood anemone, wood-sorrel, primrose and early-purple orchid. Bluebell and dog's mercury are common, and the uncommon herb-Paris grows among them.
In June enchanter's-nightshade, sanicle, meadowsweet, greater butterfly-orchid and twayblade come in to flower. The waterlogged areas of the wood have brooklime, wild angelica, wood-sedge and three species of rush. Oak and ash are the dominant trees, while hazel and blackthorn are abundant, providing excellent habitat for small mammals.
In spring the wood is full of bird song and the drumming of woodpeckers. Tree creeper and nuthatch are often seen while sparrowhawk and tawny owl nest in the wood.
Butterflies feed in the sunlit glades - green-veined white, comma, small tortoiseshell and skippers are common.
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Plants: Wood anemone, wood-sorrel, primrose, early-purple orchid, bluebell, herb-Paris Insects: Green-veined white and comma butterflies Birds: Woodpeckers, treecreeper, nuthatch, sparrowhawk, tawny owl |
Plants: Enchanter's-nightshade, sanicle, meadowsweet, greater butterfly-orchid, twayblade Insects: Small tortoiseshell and skipper butterflies |
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