RUTLAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BURLEY WOOD

Saturday 7th May 2011

The first rain for weeks drizzled down.  The sky was overcast, it was calm and mild.  However, this did not deter 25 naturalists from assembling inside the entrance to the private woodland, Burley Woods, near Oakham, on Saturday morning, 7^th May, at 10.0am.

At the kind invitation of Mr. E.R. Hanbury, a joint meeting of the Rutland Natural History Society and the Natural History Section of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society were allowed in to study the wildlife of the wood.

The two groups were organised by Janet Dawson and Phil Rudkin. 

Before moving off further into the wood, the leader: Phil Rudkin welcomed everyone and outlined plans for the day.  He told the group not to be too disappointed if they noticed the lack of bird song.  The well documented ‘woodland bird decline’ was very apparent in all our woodlands.

At 10.15am the rains ceased, and the entourage moved to the first ride. Here, time was taken too observe a pair of Whitethroats nest building in low, dense vegetation. At the opposite ride, a singing male Garden Warbler held territory.  Taking a steady walk up the north ride, the Bluebells were still very colourful in patches.   The grass tracks held good numbers of flowering plants such as Greater Stitchwort, and Lady’s Smock.   The whites and lilac colours mixed with the Bluebells made a striking scene on the woodland floor.

The Eight Riding Tree was eventually reached, and this provided an excellent opportunity to compare the songs of Garden Warbler and Blackcap, which were singing at either side of the trees.  The similar songs of these warblers are always a challenge to the bird listeners.

The group then took the ride to the west side, and during the walk ‘the decline of woodland birds’ was very apparent, with scattered songs from Chaffinch, Blue Tits and Nuthatch.   But, it was pleasing to hear good numbers of the high-pitched songs of Goldcrests, coming from the tall conifers.  An occasional ‘Yaffle’ was heard from a Green Woodpecker, and the raucous calls of Jays came from deep in the canopy.  Two Cuckoos were heard far away at the edge of the wood.

The damp grass rides were full of interest, with plants such as the tiny Bog Stitchwort   Yellow Archangel and Thyme- Leaved Speedwell.  One lone Drinker Moth caterpillar was found in the grass.

At 11.15am. the sun shone through the trees, and the first 2 Speckled Wood butterflies appeared, along with a female Blue Damselfly.

The destination of a most important species was very close now   The naturalists made their way through the woodland to a very special area of untouched, ancient old trees and fallen logs.  They were there to see a lichen, with the intriguing name of:  Graphis scripta.  This was first discovered at this site in 1987, and has been spreading slowly in this tiny area of the wood.  The lichen was duly inspected with hand lenses, photographed and admired.  The quest was now over and the object achieved.

It was decided to return to the entrance via a different route, and this was down the hill, and to the lower ride along the southern edge of the wood.  Species logged in this long ride were, butterflies: Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, pairs of Common Blues, pairs of Orange Tips and male Brimstones.  Two small colonies of Slender Groundhoppers were found, and there were more birds singing in the trees along this ride: Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, and calls from a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Expert botanist Louise Marsh (with the Leicester Lit and Phil group) was busy all day identifying the plant life of the wood, and finished up with over 77 species.

Jan Dawson, found a few Dock leaves infested with a very interesting Rust Gall.  The scientific name being, Puccinia phragmitis.  Under a strong lens, it was found that one of the galls had burst open, and had released the spores. 

The wood was vacated by 4.0pm. And a very interesting and varied field meeting was much enjoyed by the two societies.

Philip Rudkin. 10^th May 2011.

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