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Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

Seasonal stroll at Weston Big Wood

A walk in Weston Big Wood is always rewarding and now with a new improved trail there is more for all the family to enjoy...

1. Access into this woodland is best from the Valley Road entrance (See How to Get There below). Pass through the kissing gate, turn right and climb the flight of steps that takes you into the woodland. At this point the trees to your right are an almost pure stand of small-leaved lime towering up to the canopy of leaves. In the spring the sunlight creates a dappled shade in this part of the wood, formed by the small heart-shaped leaves from which the tree gets its name.

2. At the top of the path turn right again and follow the path round to the left. Here you will pass by one of the first interactive way-markers that have shapes of woodland mini-beasts carved into them. Designed by children from local schools these carvings depict the type of wildlife that you may encounter in that area. A brass plate on the top of the post allows everyone to take away a rubbing as a reminder of the wood so tuck some wax crayons and sheets of thick paper in y our picnic bag when you set out!

3. As you follow the winding path through the wood you will pass areas where ramsons and bluebells grow together in swathes of white and blue. In other places woodland plants such as yellow archangel and wood anemone grow in the shade of the tall trees. Eventually you arrive at the main ride, a woodland path that was widened by the Trust in the late 1980’s. Across on the right recent management has resulted in the restoration of the traditional woodland craft of coppicing. Here ash, hazel and small-leaved lime have been felled to create a diverse woodland structure. Now fenced off from deer browsing the trees will rapidly re-grow to form dense coppice for future hedging stakes and charcoal.

4. Turn left up the ride and pass by the specially cut embayments that keep the ride open and interesting to wildlife. During the summer butterflies cruise up and down the ride searching for mates and areas to feed. Brimstone, speckled wood and red admiral butterflies may be seen throughout the year, and the lucky observer might be rewarded with sightings of the uncommon silver-washed fritillary as it searches for its food plant, violets, growing in the freshly cut coppice.

5. At the top of the ride remain on the main path and turn left as you pass back into the wood. After a short distance you will reach a crossroads by an ancient English oak tree. Turn left at this point and walk along the path that has been recently enhanced using woodland materials. Constructed from chipped material from the coppiced wood, the surface will eventually rot away contributing to the life-cycle of the wood. This path takes you over areas that were formerly very wet, and over wood banks and ditches, evidence of woodland clearances created by early man.

6. Continue along this path through the heart of the wood. In the spring you are surrounded with bird song, with contributions from song thrush, blackcap and chiffchaff. In the autumn however, the woodland takes on a different appearance and as the leaves begin to turn the woodland fungi come into play. Look out for candle-snuff, dead-man’s fingers or turkey tails. Eventually you’ll reach the top of the steps that will lead you back down to the entrance. Hopefully you would have passed the five remaining posts that tell you a bit more about the wood - but if you’ve missed them then you’ll just have to come back for another visit!
   

Don’t forget wax crayons and thick paper for the brass rubbing trail

Look out for Purple gromwell, a rare plant in this area which is found in Weston Big Wood. Keep a look out for it along the woodland rides

How to get there from B3124 Clevedon-Portishead road, turn into Valley Road. Park in the lay-by approx 300 yards on the right and walk up the hill. Grid ref 456 750