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Wildlife at Denlethen Wood
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Laurencekirk is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: NO 700 700
 The local community help Forest Commission Scotland to manage this small wood through the "Friends of Denlethen" group. A number of seats have been placed in the wood, and clearings have been cut to show views of the surrounding area. There is an information board which allows visitors to learn a little more about this wood.
The board shows where the old curling pond was, and where the ancient Kings Road cut through the wood - why not try to find them for yourself?
Mammals: The open grassy areas around the pond, at the viewpoints and along the paths are ideal habitats for the secretive mammals. Wood mice, voles and shrews scurry through their lives hunting seeds, insects and beetles, rarely noticed by the people who walk past them so closely. These mammals do not hibernate, so you may see them throughout the year. We have information about Red squirrel and Roe deer
Birds: In spring and summer the shrubs and low trees beside the path are full of summer visiting warblers which nest here before flying south to spend their winters in Africa.
In autumn, winter visitors like fieldfares and redwings shelter in the wood, and compete with local blackbirds and thrushes for rowan berries and rose hips.
As you walk in winter, listen out for jays. These beautiful woodland birds have a surprisingly harsh and strident call.
Insects and reptiles: Jewel-bright damselflies fly over the pond in the summer-time.
Also in summer, watch for colourful butterflies and moths along the sheltered tracks and in warm sunlit clearings. Habitats: This small conifer wood is a very important habitat for wild creatures, surrounded by arable farmland. Within it are micro-habitats - a pond, small open areas, and areas of birch and other broadleaves.
How to get there:
Denlethen Wood lies immediatley to the south west of Laurencekirk, just off the A90. You can walk into the wood from Laurencekirk itself, either along the old road which leads off the A937 and across the bridge over the railway line, or along the B9120 and down the farm track.
There is limited parking available at the wood, by following the old road which leads off the A937 then turning right immediately after the railway bridge and driving a short way down the track to reach the forest road. Please keep the barriers clear for emergencey access.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap) Enter through:
Oatyhill Entrance
Facilities:
  Activities:
 
Contact:
Liz Wallace
01466 794161
e-mail: liz.wallace@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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What to see now Listen out for high-pitched squeaking in the grass - this amazingly loud noise comes from two tiny shrews confronting each other!
Did you know The common shrew is a tiny mammal, only 8cm long, but it is very agressive. Shrews are very territorial of their runs, and will attack other shrews which come too close.
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