Overview
An area of ancient woodland near Tonbridge in Kent, Tudeley Woods has been a reserve of the RSPB since 1986.
Covering more than 120ha the reserve contains heathland as well as woods thus attracting a wider range of birds.
Birds
Notable Species
Breeding birds include Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Woodcock and Tawny Owl and all three British woodpeckers. Common Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch also occur as well as various tits including Marsh and warblers such as Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Nightingale breeds in these woods, a declining species in much of Britain and Tree Pipit can be foundland around wooded edges. Hawfinch is regular here.
Winter sees mixed tit flocks searching the woodlands and brings finches such as Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling and Common Crossbill. Fieldfare and Redwing are also common at this time.
Heathland on the reserve has Common Whitethroat, Linnet and Yellowhammer.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Eurasian Woodcock, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Chaffinch, Brambling, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill, Common Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Yellowhammer
Other Wildlife
In spring Bluebells, Primroses and Wood Anemones carpet the woodland floor and Birdsnest is among the several species of orchid found on the reserve. Butterflies include White Admiral, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Small Heath and Small Skipper.
Site Information
History and Use
These woodlands have a long history of traditional management and ancient bank and ditch systems can clearly be seen as well as centuries-old coppiced oaks. The RSPB have returned to the coppicing form of management for the woods to vary the habitats for the benefit of both plants and animals.
Access and Facilities
The reserve is located close to the A21 London to Hastings road and can be reached from the minor road to Capel off the A21 about 3km south of Tonbridge. It is also signposted from the B2017 east of Tudeley village. There is a car-park and two nature trails.
Grid Ref: TQ617433
Contact Details
Tel: 01273 775333
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve Bold text
