As well as being the Warden on Otmoor, I’m also the Warden for a small woodland reserve in Buckinghamshire called Church Wood. The wood is one of the oldest RSPB reserves and is almost entirely managed by two volunteer work parties (Pinner and West London). During the spring, Church Wood is carpeted with bluebells and throughout the year it plays host to a range of woodland birds, butterflies, moths, flowers, mammals and fungi. Roving bands of redwings are currently feeding in the wood, jays are noisily collecting acorns and tiny goldcrests can be seen hopping through the dense foliage. It is only a small piece of woodland but it is enjoyed by a lot of people. I recently replaced the sightings/comment book at Church Wood and the following comments taken from it will almost certainly tempt you into visiting the wood!?...

“I saw a hippo in the river. I got stuck in quick sand. My family and me got chased by an alligator... I got ate by a tiger!!”
“Magical picture postcard scenery and glorious deep orange sunset, shafting through the tree tops.”
“Thought I saw a yeti, turned out to be nothing but a load of leaves – there are a lot of leaves.”
“A character known locally as Derek The Pirate (on account of his unfeasibly long earrings) lived in this shed for a week in the summer of 1979 after being kicked out of his home by his long suffering spouse. I know because he was a good cook and he put on a lovely barbeque one glorious summer evening.”
“The bluebells are just spectacular. The birdsong absolutely delightful. Thank you for maintaining this lovely place. So glad we came.”
“I saw Santa Clause on his sleigh and Santa gave me 7 presents!”
“I saw nothing and a bear.”
 What more could you want from a visit to a woodland reserve!

  • (Photos taken by Lorna Potter).