Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve, near Stevenage is an ancient woodland, rich in wildlife and a delight for the senses. Discover it here through the eyes and ears of Iain Ward, Wilder Woodlands Officer as he recounts a visit to the reserve last March, with volunteer and birder, Alan – it will give you plenty of tips of what to look out and listen for!

“We met on a perfect spring morning and were able to enjoy the sheer abundance of Primroses and Wood Anemones as we ambled around Astonbury, planning the route for a breeding bird survey. 

We took the right fork after entering the wood from the northern end, where we saw a Treecreeper on a Birch tree, and heard a Chiffchaff and Wren calling. We took an out and back down to the large pond, but all was quiet. We then headed up to the pond in the north west of the wood, where on the way we saw Jackdaws going in and out of holes in an Ash, and a large mixed flock of Chaffinches and Great Tits. Nothing to note at the pond today, but on the way back down to the Stevenage Brook path we heard Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, with several Buzzards calling from over the wood, and saw Robins. Heading back up the central ride we heard Nuthatch calling, as well as Red Kite. 

Further on still we saw a Song Thrush and a small flock of Redwing, then Stock Doves investigating suitable looking trees for nesting, a pair of Blue Tits going in and out of holes in an Ash, and finally we heard a Green Woodpecker calling from just outside the wood. Not a bad tally for a planning meeting! 

We also saw five butterflies, two flew past quite high in the west of the wood, and I couldn't be sure if they were Small Tortoiseshell or Comma, but we had a definite Comma on the ground in the sun along with two Brimstones flying in the glades in the middle of the wood. These butterflies will have just come out of hibernation, which is why they can be seen so early in the year.”

You can find more information about Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve here and read Iain’s monthly blog ‘Inside Astonbury Wood’ here. This work is carried out as part of the Trust’s Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands project, thanks to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.