Bradfield Woods
Sunday 15 April
Blackcap
Twenty members assembled on a beautiful spring morning for our
group walk in this Suffolk Wildlife Trust managed ancient woodland.
As
we moved off a male blackcap was foraging in the canopy of a large oak
that was just starting to break into leaf.
There was plenty
to see for those more interested in the flora. This wood has a wide
range of soils, which account for the amazing variety of plants - 370
listed. Wood anemone, oxlip and early purple orchid were amongst many
recorded. On the butterfly front we observed
several species including
speckled wood, comma and orange tip.
This
wood has been
under continual management since 1252 and there is much evidence of
this continuing work today. Although there is little old established
dead wood standing we did see two pairs of greater spotted woodpeckers
busily collecting food.
Orange
Tip
The warblers for
the day included
many chiffchaff heard and seen, at least five blackcaps, and a single
willow warbler. Marsh tits were also added to our list.
One
of the group thought he heard nightingale, but we could not locate to
confirm.
Although we did not arrive early enough to glimpse
any of the three species of deer present - that is something to look
forward to on another day and season.
listen to the woodland ambience (chiffchaff, blackcap, song thrush in the distance. From 6am)
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Bluebells
Oxlips
Purple
Orchid
Comma
Wood
Anemones
Barry Cooper
back to