Garston Wood RSPB Reserve
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.
Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are both resident and usually easily viewed and Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 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 and Lesser Whitethroat nest along the rides and in the more open areas. 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. 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.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Wren, Dunnock, Nightingale, Eurasian Robin, 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, Greenfinch, Common Bullfinch
Content and images originally posted by Steve
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
