GREAT HERON WOOD
Explore a remnant of ancient woodland
Great Heron Wood is a fragment of the old wild wood that once covered much of the Low Weald until the Neolithic Period. Today the tree cover is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous plantations. Small areas have been coppiced by the local authority and continue to attract a few pairs of Nightingales and Turtle Doves in spring. Stands of Hornbeam, oak and Ash are often the most productive for birds, and where the localised and elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers may still be present along with the occasional Hawfinch. For variety, the route also includes a section overlooking open country and the chance of soaring raptors and farmland birds.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Check around the car park clearing and adjacent mature oak stand for a range of common woodland residents including Stock Dove, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Jay, Mistle Thrush and Bullfinch. A few scarce and declining summer visitors such as Willow and Garden Warblers and Nightingale still occur in coppiced areas, along with the occasional Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher. Buzzard and Raven can be heard calling while Sparrowhawks are present. The car park is a favoured area for hearing Tawny Owls, along with an outside chance of a Woodcock displaying over the canopy.
2 The wood overlooks a vineyard with panoramic views south across the Romney Marsh and a good spot for scanning for soaring raptors; typically Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, plus Red Kite or Hobby. Scan over the woodland canopy for migrants on the move and hirundines and Swifts feeding on flying insects. An adjacent paddock and barn attract nesting Swallow and Pied Wagtail along with the chance of a Little Owl.
3 Dense conifer plantations harbour Coal Tit, Goldcrest and Firecrest, plus an outside chance of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin or Crossbill. Another good area for Tawny Owl and Woodcock at dusk. One or two woodland dew ponds attract birds to drink during drought conditions along with the occasional Moorhen.
4 Hedgerows attract Stonechat, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats, Cetti’s Warbler, Linnet, Goldfinch, Bullfinch and Yellowhammer, while open farmland lures in corvids, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and maybe a passing Wheatear or Yellow Wagtail. Check field margins for Redlegged Partridge and old dead trees for Little Owl and Stock Dove. Scan to the south for Grey Herons, Little and Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier over the flatlands.