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Wildlife at the WLNR

The reserve offers a variety of habitats. Secondary ash woodland grades into thorn scrub, with mature hedgerow bounding the western edge of the site. The open habitats include 2ha of rough unimproved neutral grassland ( which contains the notable Grass Vetchling plant and neutral grassland indicator species such as Lathyrus nissolia and Dactyl. fuchsii), an area of ruderal habitat on imported chalky substrate and a pond/scape area that dries out in the Summer. A wide variety of plants can be found, including Bee and Spotted Orchids, Ox-eye Daisies, Black Knapweed, Heath Bedstraw, Cowslips and Ragged Robin to name a few.

Common Spotted Orchid

Bee Orchid

The flowers attract many insects including butterflies such as Small Heath, Marbled White  and Common Blue, and day-flying Burnet moths with their vivid red on black spots. In turn birds are attracted to the site. Yellowhammers, White-throats and Linnets can often be heard calling from the scrub, Green Woodpeckers can be seen feeding on ants and Goldfinches can be seen feeding on the Teasels in Winter. What ever the season, a walk through WLNR can offer something of interest.

Common Blue

Small Heath

Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Moth

Commophilia aeneana, a yellow and metallic blue micro-moth that is scarce in Britain. The moth flies from May to July, and larvae feed in the roots of Hoary Ragwort that grows on the site. Photo thanks to Gianpiero Ferrari

Further photographs of wildlife taken on the reserve can be seen in the Yahoo public photo album linked from the  HomePage