SWINGLEY WOOD & POOL
Ancient coppice woodland, brook, pond and stream
THE WALK STARTS with the small Upper Swingley Wood Nature Reserve and is extended to cover a larger area with water facilities to add to the possible sighting of more birds. The old woodland was known in the early 19th Century as ‘The Furlong Coppice’ separating two arable fields and its history combines Ash being planted at that time along with the still surviving areas of Alder and willow. Other plants include wild Gooseberry and wild Redcurrant! Beyond the wood, a small stream rises then another woodland and a stream flowing into a pool along the way after which we cross over the Cheaton Brook, cross a footbridge, climb a not too steep hillside then back across the ford to the start. So with a variety of countryside there are woodland birds such as woodpeckers, open areas for Sky Lark, the hillside for Red Kite and the stream, brook and ponds for Dipper, Mallard or Grey Heron. It might be useful to take a compass if you are not familiar with the area.