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[edit] Overview

This is a wooded downland reserve on the chalk downs of Cranbourne Chase on the Dorset/Wiltshire border.

The woodland consists of mature Oak and Ash trees with Hazel and Spindle forming the understorey and occasional Crab Apple, Field Maple and Rowan. The birdlife is typical of an ancient southern English woodland.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are both resident and usually easily viewed and Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch occur around the more mature trees.

Other woodland species present include Nightingale, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and several tits. Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat nest along the rides and in the more open areas.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Wren, Dunnock, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Bullfinch

[edit] Other Wildlife

Mammals include Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus and Fallow Deer Cervus dama, Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Badger Meles meles and Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius.

Of the more than 25 species of butterfly recorded the most notable are Silver-washed and Pearl-bordered Frtillaries.

Bluebells and Wood Anemones colour the woodland floor in spring and other plants include Solomon's Seal, Toothwort and Birdsnest Orchid.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

Garston Wood lies just north of the village of Sixpenny Handley on the minor road to Bowerchalke. There are several woodland footpaths and visitors are asked to keep to them when walking in the wood.

Grid reference: SU003194

[edit] Contact Details

Tel: 01929 553360 (RSPB)

[edit] External Links

• RSPB Garston Wood
• Garston Wood on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by Steve

[edit] Reviews

teamsaint's review

a lovely place and a nice walk. butterflies were everywhere, silver-washed fritilaries, white admirals & even a pearl-bordered fritilary. birds included garden warbler & willow tit.

Pros

• good for butteflies and a nice walk

Cons

• not many good birds