Wildlife at Burfa Wood

 

Mammals: Burfa Bank provides a valuable habitat for the mammals which live within the wood. It is possible to see, rabbits, hares, badgers and foxes. The fox is considered to be a solitary animal and will only seek out a vixen in mid winter to mate. During April three to six cubs are born. The father will play with his offspring and at around one month old they will go hunting with their mother. They are quick to learn hunting skills and at two months old will be ready to leave their home. The fox hunts at night and will eat rabbits, rats, mice, voles, squirrels, hedgehogs and pheasants. It is also likely that you will be able to spot a grey squirrel in the wood. The grey squirrel is bigger than the red squirrel, being approx 10" long with a less bushy 8" tail. Grey squirrels attack trees in early summer gnawing at the main trunk, in search of the sweet sappy layers immediately beneath the bark. We have information about Roe deer and Badger

Birds: Among the bird species to be found are the blackcaps, whitethroats, and finches. The woodcock is also present and is a native resident found in most regions of the UK. It has a mottled rich brown plumage which is very effective camouflage against a background of dead leaves or bracken. An adult woodcock is 34cm with a 8cm beak. The eyes of a woodcock are placed high up on sides of its head to allow it a complete 360 degrees field of vision. A woodcock male in the breeding season performs a strange display flight known as “roding” During dawn and at dusk time they can be seen striding across the open glades. As the woodcock flies it gives out a triple croak which can sound similar to a frog, followed immediately by a whistling “tsiwick” The wingbeats of the bird are similar to that of an owl. The breeding season begins in early in March with the building of a nest. This usually takes the form of a hole scraped in the ground, often among leaf-litter and lined with leaves. The young are quick to develop. Within a few hours of hatching they are capable of leaving the nest for short journeys for food. At between 2-3 weeks they are able to take short flights. Three weeks later they become independent. The goldcrest is one of Britain’s smallest birds. They feed on insects and flies. The birds are green while the male has an orange crest, the female has a yellow one. The goldcrest population is affected by a long harsh winter and to counter this they usually lay two broods of 7-10 eggs in one season. The goldcrest builds a hanging nest of moss and spiders webs, attaching it to the underside of a conifer branch.

Insects and reptiles: The comma and the peacock butterflies tend to feed on rotting food in the autumn, while other species rely on the honeydew which coats tree leaves in the summer. The blackberry shrub is present in most woods and provides a source of food for insects, birds and mammals. Some of the woodland mammals that feed on the blackberry shrub include the yellow-coloured dusty slug, badgers and a variety of snails including the grey-bodied banded snail.

Habitats: On the hill top area in the open woodland and the scrub areas provide suitable habitat to a host to many species of insects and butterflies feeding on the bramble, knapweed and heath. We have information about Pinewood

How to get there:
On the A44 from Kington to New Radnor take the B4362 at Walton along the Presteigne road. After approx 1.5 mile after passing over the new river bridge turn left. The Forestry Commission car park is approx 200m on the right.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Enter through:
Burfa Wood

	Open access for horse riders throughout this area.

Contact:
Nick Whythe
Local Area Manager
0845 604 0845
e-mail: nick.whythe@forestry.gsi.gov.uk