Stanground Woods
|
Stanground Wood is a Woodland Trust site located on the outer edge of the Peterborough fens. To the south is rising ground that is now residential, and to the north and east is the valley of the River Nene, characterised by arable farmland, brick pits, and the sliver of washland which brackets the river and was constructed to contain flood waters.
The site is mostly open ground that is managed as a meadow, with two blocks of woodland. The species mix is dominated by ash, alder and willow as these species are able to tolerate the waterlogged conditions that occasionally occur.
The Woodland Trust
Autumn Park
Dysart Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL
01476 581111
enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Orton Longueville Woods
|
(Content courtesy of the Woodland Trust)
Orton Longueville Wood is a 8.07 hecatre woodland site, bound in part by a large school and close to several residential areas, giving it high amenity value.
An avenue of large Wellingtonias is present in the southern section of the wood that are approximately 150 years old. Indeed the site is almost the only area of mature woodland south of the River Nene in Peterborough and therefore constitutes an important wildlife resource.
The wood was originally planted out as a landscaped park associated with nearby Orton Hall, with most of the planting carried out under the orders of the 10th Marquis of Huntly who introduced many of the exotic species that can still be seen today.
The present woodland represents an amalgamation of the influences of the original wood pasture/grassland/hedgerow flora, extensive introductions of species both by deliberate planting and natural colonisation and the influence of the recent public use of the site.
Orton Longueville wood is all high forest in structure but has retained definate under storey and ground flora layers due to its unusual narrow L shape and subsequent infiltration by sunlight along the woodland edges.
16 tree species are present, including Ash, Elm, Beech, Wellingtonia and Sitka spruce. Shrub species present include Hazel, Hawthorn and Snow berry. Although no one species is dominant, there is evidence of sycamore colonisation in many areas.
The ground flora is variable but mostly species poor dominated by nettles, cleavers and cow parsley; all species of disturbed and enriched soils. However the wood does contain three species characteristic of ancient woodland, Ramsons, Dogs mercury and Bluebell. These species are often found with Winter aconite, Small balsam and Snowdrop.
There is one large pond, which has in the past been found to contain frogs and several interesting water beetles.
Other recorded species that demonstrate the value of the wood to wildlife include all three types of woodpecker, tree creepers and nuthatch.
The Woodland Trust
Autumn Park
Dysart Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL
01476 581111
enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Bedford Purlieus NNR
| 
| 
|
(Content courtesy of Natural England and the Forestry Commission)
Bedford Purlieus is an area of ancient woodland in the Soke of Peterborough near Wansford, and once formed part of the Royal Forest of Rockingham. This 208 hectare historic site is designated as both a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, in recognition of its superior flora and fauna. Dominant tree species are oak and ash, but hazel, elm, birch, small-leaved lime and pine are also present. The site has high levels of biodiversity and more plant and insect species are found here than in most other woods in the country.
The Dukes of Bedford have been associated with the area since Norman times and are connected to the reserve’s name. ‘Purlieus’ describes land that was once part of a Royal Forest and is still subject to certain forest laws.
Traditionally, Bedford Purlieus has been managed by coppicing, and it is thought that the Romans may have used the wood as a source of charcoal for iron smelting. There are many roman remains in the area and a Roman road, Ermine Street, forms the southern boundary to the reserve.
Recently, funding has been awarded to conduct a thorough archaeological study of the site, as it is thought that the woodland may hold the key to unlocking the area’s Roman past. Archaeologists believe that the wood may be home to a large but unidentified roman structure, measuring an impressive 80 x 30m. The existence of such remains came to light after the Forestry Commission, who manage the site, conducted walk-through surveys with an archaeologist as part of an ongoing project to restore over 7000 hectares of ancient woodland to a state that is reminiscent of medieval times.
Bedford Purlieus has a wide variety of habitats, including heathland, limestone grassland, hazel and lime coppice, birch scrub, oak wood and 4 ponds. Subsequently the area supports a very diverse collection of flora and fauna that is not seen in many other woodlands.
Columbine, lily of the valley, fly orchid and herb paris are all present in the ground flora assemblage and a diverse range of fungi is also present.
Notable mammals present on site include dormice, badgers and polecats. Others include muntjac and fallow deer, foxes, stoats and weasels, bank and short tailed voles, and hares.
The site is home to numerous birds, including all three types of woodpecker, song thrush, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, willow warbler and nightingale.
An abundance of butterflies can be spotted throughout the summer and the reserve is also home to many amphibian species including slow worms and all three types of newt. Grass snakes, adders and lizards can also be found here.
‘A Walk Back in Time’: Sunday 16 November 2008, 10.00am. This is a guided walk of Bedford Purlieus, organized by the Forestry Commission, and provides an excellent opportunity to discover the ecological and historical significance of the site. The event is free and no booking is required.
For more information, see Contact section below.
The Forestry Commission:
northants@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
01780 444920
Grimeshaw Wood Nature Reserve
| 
|
(Partial content courtesy of Ancient Tree Forum and Natural England)
Grimeshaw Wood (which includes Highlees Spinney) is an area of ancient woodland 17 hectares in size, typically composed of oak, ash and field maple. The site was designated as an Urban Fringe Local Nature Reserve in 1990. The site is located in a highly residential area, consequently becoming an urban haven for wildlife. It is dissected by the Bretton Way dual carriageway.
Notable flora and fauna present at this site are pipistrelle bat populations, and nettle leaved bellflowers that are especially apparent during the summer months.
Southey Wood
|
Southey is a mixed woodland, with majestic oaks standing around the car park and picnic place. Tall, stately pine trees provide a backdrop to the picnic area, providing a cathedral-like entrance to the forest walks. An all-ability trail takes a meandering route through the woodland.
The name Southey means ‘South Enclosure’, and written records suggest this was woodland in 1330. Various periods of replanting have occurred, giving this woodland a variety of age structures.
The wood is in the Soke of Peterborough, and was once included in the medieval Royal Forest of Rockingham.
This mixed woodland includes oaks, beech, ash, European larch, Corsican and Scots pine with brambles and nettles, elders and foxgloves. The area provides homes for woodpeckers and blue tits, kestrels, mice, squirrels, hedgehogs and foxes, to name but a few. The woodland rides and clearings allow primroses, cowslips and bluebells to flourish in Spring. A variety of ferns also grow here – less frequently seen in East Anglia than they are in the wetter, western parts of the British Isles.
A variety of trees have been planted by the Forestry Commission making this an ideal location for a family outing. The recently improved all-weather footpath allows easy access for toddlers, pushchairs and wheelchairs, with muddy woodland tracks as alternatives for the more adventurous.
The Wildlife Trust
Second Floor
4 - 6 Cowgate
Peterborough PE1 1NA
Tel: 01733 890419
Fax: 01733 553716
Email: peterborough@wildlifebcnp.org
Thorpe Wood Nature Reserve
|
An ancient woodland covering 11.5 ha (28 acres) full of wildflowers in the heart of an urban setting.
This beautiful ancient woodland consists of an oak-ash canopy with hazel and field maple below. The northern section is actively managed by traditional coppicing. The ground flora is diverse here, especially in spring when there are good numbers of wood anemones and a spectacular display of bluebells.
The heavy clay soils provide the necessary ground conditions for ramsons, or wild garlic, with its distinctive smell. There are a number of very large mature oaks, which provide an excellent home for a range of invertebrates. Woodpeckers can be frequently heard tapping in the summer months.
The southern section of the wood is not open to the public.
The Wildlife Trust
Second Floor
4 - 6 Cowgate
Peterborough PE1 1NA
Tel: 01733 890419
Fax: 01733 553716
Email: peterborough@wildlifebcnp.org
aa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
