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Wildlife at Wyre Forest Visitor and Discovery Centre Wyre Forest
Worcestershire
England
Bewdley is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SO 750 740
Wyre forest is one of the 3 most important areas of ancient woodland in the country. It is dominated by sessile oak, and its 2,500 hectares are now all that remain of a once vast wildwood stretching along the Severn Valley from Worcester to Bridgnorth.It is currently approximately 50% broadleaf and 50% conifer plantation. This is in the process of being reverted to 85% native broadleaf to increase the forest's biodiversity.
Mammals: Of the larger mammals found in Wyre, fallow deer, badgers, foxes, rabbits and grey squirrels are very common. Roe and muntjac deer are increasing in numbers, as are polecats, otters and mink. More difficult to see, but nevertheless present, are small mammals including yellow neck mice, dormice, voles and water shrews. Several bat species are present, in particular pipistrelle and Daubenton's. We have information about Roe deer, Fallow deer, Badger and Otter
Birds: The variety of habitats within the Wyre forest support an equally large range of birds. Resident species include all 3 woodpeckers, green, lesser spotted and great spotted, as well as buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, tawny owl, raven, hawfinch, nuthatch and tree creeper. Summer visitors include pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and cuckoo. In the winter it is possible to see siskin, fieldfare, redwing, crossbill and redpoll.
Insects and reptiles: Much of the forest is designated a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest as a result of its diverse insect life. Nationally rare moths such as alder kitten, angle-striped sallow, common fanfoot and great oak beauty can be found here. Of the many butterflies to be seen, pearl-bordered fritillary, small pearl-bordered fritillary, silver-washed fritillary, wood white, white admiral, green hairstreak and purple hairstreak are particularly important. Other insects include caddis flies, beetles, wood ants, bees and wood wasps. Wyre is one of the last strongholds for the adder, and there are also grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards. We have information about Adder, Pearl-bordered fritillary and Silver-washed fritillary Habitats: Despite being a forest, many different habitats exist within it, and certain areas are managed to benefit particular species. For example, heathy places with bilberry and heather are kept open to encourage reptiles. Primrose, dog's mercury, bluebell and wild garlic are characteristic plants of the more wooded areas, as well as columbine, lily of the valley and wood cranesbill. Some species of orchid exist in Wyre, such as common spotted and heath spotted. A wide range of fungi, mosses, liverworts, grasses and ferns are abundant. The geographical location of Wyre gives rise to an interesting meeting point of species, both plant and animal, characteristic of east and west of the country.
How to get there:
The Forestry Commission Visitor Centre is situated 3 miles west of Bewdley on the A456 at Callow Hill, and is well signposted from all directions. Bus services 192/292 run between Birmingham and Ludlow. Nearest train station is Kidderminster.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Facilities:
      
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The Visitor Centre has interpretation facilities, information, restaurant and gift shop. |
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Open daily, (except Christmas day) 10am to 5pm (or dusk in winter) |
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Activities
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3 self-guided trails: Buzzard trail (red-5.2 km),Woodpecker trail (green-3.5km), Wren trail (yellow-1.4km, all ability).:Walking for health-Wyre Forest Health Walks- every Tuesday and Sunday at 10.30 for 11am start.:Walk in the Woods - looking at features of seasonal interest. First Wednesday of every month, 10.30am. £4 per person.Addtitional waymarked walks can be followed at the Hawkbatch site, accessed from the B4194 north-west of Bewdley.
Woodpecker
Cycle route (blue)
Wren trail
Buzzard |
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2 way-marked family cycle trails, 5.3km and 7.7km start from the Visitor Centre. More adventurous mountain biking can be undertaken at Kinlet North, access from Earnwood Car park.
Cycle route (Green) |
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Riders are requested to keep to the marked horseshoe trails and bridleways. Annual Permits are issued through TROT (01622 735599). Day permits are available from the Visitor Centre for £5. |
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The Wyre Forest Discovery Centre hosts the "education centre of excellence". Curriculum linked activities and a variety of adult craft and wildlife focus days are available. Phone 01299 266929 for a full list of school and group activities, as well as for the 'Events' programme. |
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Rated as one of the top three most ecologically important forests in Britain, along with the New Forest and the Forest of Dean. |
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Orienteering sessions, either self-programming or staff led, can be booked through the Discovery Centre on 01299 266929. There are 3 orienteering courses for the public to use at the Callow Hill site, using a map available from the Visitor Centre for £1. |
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Accessed from the Buzzard trail, the 2ha arboretum in the Wyre Forest has been managed by the Wyre Forest Society for over 20 years. It was originally situated there because of the location of the Whitty Pear tree, and recently the WFS has planted an avenue of Sorb trees to continue the sorbus genus theme. |
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There are picnic benches amongst the trees or you can picnic on the grassy lawn beside the Visitor Centre. |
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Adventure play area for small children, and woodpecker tower. |
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There is a wonderful view over Trimpley reservoir from the red route on the Hawkbatch site. |
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Forest Friends.. a club for pre-school children. If you are the parent or carer of pre-school children bring them along for an hour of fun in the forest! It may be a short pushchair-friendly walk, crafts using natural materials, or wildlife themed games.Wear suitable clothes and be prepared to get muddy! Every Thursday in term time, 10-11 am.£2 per child. No need to book, just turn up! Phone 01299 266929 for more details. Activities for 5-11 year olds are arranged for every school holiday and half term - phone 01299 266929 for an 'Events' programme. |
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Contact:
Liz Bunney
01299 266929
e-mail: liz.bunney@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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What's of interest
There is an arboretum, created in the 1980s, accessed from one of the way-marked trails. The Whitty Pear tree near the arboretum is a direct descendant of the original individual that was thought to be the only one of its kind in the country, but was burnt down in 1862. In recent years, more have been found throughout the country. A wildlife observation hide is available for booked groups of up to 30 people to view the forest's inhabitants in a tranquil setting.
What to see now Dawn chorus, new leaves, bluebells, swifts, spotted flycatchers, pied flycatchers, woodcock's display flights, hedgehogs courting, green hairstreak, pearl-bordered fritillary, green veined whites, small coppers ans common blue butterflies on the wing, damselflies emerging.
Did you know Over the centuries wood and timber from Wyre have been harvested for local use (basket, firewood, pea-sticks etc) and larger scale processes such as ship-building, charcoal to fuel the iron smelting industries, leather tanning. It is currently managed for conservation, timber, recreation and education.
What's on
What else is here In Wyre Forest Visitor and Discovery Centre there is also recreationUseful sites
Find out more
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