Wilder Woods

Hallr Wood is a small, south facing, steeply sloping, amenity woodland (nearly 7 acres). It is managed sustainably for wildlife and conservation by groups and volunteers. When CSOLP became involved (2007), it had been neglected for many years. We have been thinning rabbit damaged trees and restocking windblown areas with native broadleaves in order to improve biodiversity. It is divided into several sections; predominantly ash and norwegian maple in the flatter area with two beech areas and a more mixed area to the east and also an area of larch, some of which has proved good enough to get planked for projects. Although mostly planted in the early 1960′s, there are several mature specimens; field maples, spindles, cherrys, horsechestnuts, lime and walnut.

We have a path which goes around the wood so that the central portion can remain mostly undisturbed for wildlife. There are foxes, hares, rabbits, an extensive colony of badgers and some very cheeky squirrels who have taken up residence in some of our nesting boxes. Deer are also a hazard to our newly planted trees. Birdlife is abundant. Birds of prey are varied and plentiful; we have been lucky enough to see a pair of peregrine falcons which we think were nesting up on Green Down.  We frequently see wrens, jays, green woodpeckers and have several very friendly robins who feed from our hands during cold spells. After dark we hear tawny owls, little owls and we often see a barn owl hunting across the fields towards the nearby River Cary.

We have received donations of woodland bulbs and primroses from villagers and in the spring the wood is filled with early spring flowers including violets and cowslips.  We have also restored the pond and installed bird nesting boxes. The wood is used occasionally for school visits. The bulk of our activities are focused around forestry and conservation.

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