Wildlife at Chopwell Wood Main Car Park

Mammals: Chopwell Wood is home to a number of mammals. These include badger, fox, rabbit, roe deer and otter, the latter inhabiting holts on the banks of the River Derwent which skirts the southern side of the wood. We have information about Roe deer, Badger and Otter

Birds: Ninety-five species of bird have been recorded in the Wood. Permanent residents include green and great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers and a whole 'parliament' of tawny owls! Seasonal visitors to the Wood include siskins, willow warblers, chiff-chaffs and swallows.

Insects and reptiles: Associated with the wide diversity of plants are numerous invertebrates including sixteen species of butterfly and over two hundres species of moth. Visit one of Chopwell's 'bomb ponds' and you may encounter dragonflies and damselflies flitting amongst the bankside vegetation. In and around the ponds themselves live two species of newt as well as frogs and toads.

Habitats: Over 250 plant species have been recorded, ranging in size from the minute duckweed with leaves only 5mm in diameter, to giant Douglas Firs at over 40 metres tall. Visits at different times of the year will reveal the diversity of flora in their full glory. During the spring, the woodland floor is awash with colour with the flowers of bluebells, wood anemone and lesser celandine. Later in the summer forest rides and roadsides are scattered with common spotted orchid, harebell and meadowsweet.

How to get there:
600 metres along road into the wood, the car park is situated on the left.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

	Chopwell Wood has both a forest classroom and a nature trail, specially built for visiting school groups. As well as the 'Friends of Chopwell Wood' group, there is a horse riding association which runs regular events in the wood.

	Boundary Walk River Walk Easy Access Trail Old Railway Footpath			Our Recreation Ranger based at Chopwell Wood offers a wide range of National Curriculum based activities for school groups. Along with the Forest Classroom and Nature Trail, Chopwell Wood is the ideal setting for environmental education.
	A beautiful and varied mixed woodland teeming with wildlife, from the shy Roe Deer to the industrious Wood Ant.			A permanent orienteering course with accompanying map is available. Maps can be ordered from Liz Searle, Friends of Chopwell Wood, by calling 01207 542495. A smaller permanent course is also available for visiting groups. Maps can be purchased for this course by contacting the Forestry Commission at Chopwell Wood.

Contact:
Leanne Shipley
Recreation Ranger Chopwell
01207 542231
e-mail: leanne.shipley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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