From Opus

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[edit] Overview

A small deciduous woodland with a range of birds typical of such a habitat in south-east England. The woods are mainly Sweet Chestnut and Hornbeam, formerly and now once again coppiced, there are also English Oak and birch scrub.

The reserve has two narrow, steep-sided streams, known as ghylls that are often dry in summer, and a woodland pond has been created to add to the habitat diversity.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Breeding birds include Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl, all three British woodpeckers, Common Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch. Various tits and warblers nest as well as thrushes and finches including Hawfinch, scarce in this part of the country.

In winter finches and thrushes visit the wood and birds such as Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher can be seen at the pond.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Mallard, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Eurasian Bullfinch, Hawfinch

[edit] Other Wildlife

Badger and Fox are present on the reserve and Common Frog and Palmate Newt breed in the pond.

Scarce butterflies such as White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak occur.

Wood Anemone and Bluebell are abundant in spring and there are orchids including Early Purple, Common Spotted, Birdsnest, Common Twayblade and Broad-leaved Helleborine. The dark and damp ghylls are rich in mosses including the rare Fissidens rivularis as well as Great Woodrush and ferns such as Hay-scented Buckler Fern.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

The reserve lies on the edge of the village of Crowhurst, just outside Hastings in East Sussex. It can be reached by leaving the A2100 Battle to Hastings road at Telham.

Parking is difficult so visitors are asked to park at the village hall and walk up to either of the two reserve entrances.

Grid reference: TQ752127

[edit] Contact Details

Tel: 01273 775333 (RSPB)

[edit] External Links

• RSPB: Fore Wood
• Fore Wood on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by Steve