...today, or even this weekend, it might not quite be a big surprise, but how about we all get out and celebrate the UK’s woodlands?
It doesn’t have to be to a big day out, maybe just an afternoon stroll. But there’s plenty of good places in the UK, and they’re all different, many with easy access and facilities. We’ve got plenty of woodland reserves too, that are all worth exploring.
Fluty blackbirds
I’ll probably be wandering through the gently sloping arable fields near me, up to Potton Wood. It’s a tranquil spot, where just the sound of warbling blackcaps, chiffchaffs singing their name and fluty blackbirds fills the air.
Assuming the sun comes out, I’ll be hoping to see some of our most conspicuous insects: butterflies. Being a wood, there ought to be some of the small, spotty speckled woods about.
In my part of the UK, they’re a lovely dark brown colour with yellowy spots. The males are very territorial, and will defend their sunny woodland glade against rivals, before alighting in a sunny spot, waiting for any females to pass through their patch.
Seeing the wood from the trees
Fingers crossed I’ll also bump into a roe deer. These little critters are brilliantly camouflaged amongst the trees, but once they pop out into the glades you can get a great view. Be careful though, as they’re wary and blend back into the wood as quickly as they appeared.
There’s a myriad of other wildlife in woodlands though, from the tiniest insects through medium-sized mammals up to the trees themselves. Make sure you take closer look at these trees! Ancient, twisted and gnarly oaks, tall pines, wispy willows and all the others that make up our woodland are all beautiful in their own right, not just as homes for wildlife.
Let us know!
Have a great weekend and let me know how your trip down to woods goes. What did you see? Where did you go? Let me and everyone know so we can all revel in the glory of our woodlands.
Ps. Fingers crossed for the weather, otherwise I guess I’ll be at home watching Wimbledon or the football along with everyone else!
For more on our science, check out the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science web pages.