KENT FAGGS WOOD
A woodland walk in Nightingale country
Faggs Wood is a part of the fragmented Orlestone Forest, that long ago straddled the entire Weald of Kent and Sussex in one continuous swathe of wildwood. Today much of the woodland is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous plantations managed by the Forestry Commission. Small areas have been cleared or coppiced and continue to attract a few pairs of Nightingales, Willow and Garden Warblers.
Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker, plus soaring Buzzard and Sparrowhawk overhead. Coal Tit and Goldcrest are often noted in the pines trees along with the occasional Spotted Flycatcher. An adjacent paddock and barns attracts breeding Pied Wagtail, Swallow and Little Owl.
2 The large clearing may attract a Tree Pipit along with Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher and Cuckoo around the margins, while at dusk there is the likelihood of Woodcock and Tawny Owl. Regrowth scrub and coppice is good for summer migrants such as Nightingale, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. 3
Dense conifer plantations harbour Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Firecrest, plus an outside chance of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin or Crossbill. Another good area for Tawny Owl and Woodcock at dusk. Woodland dew ponds attract birds to drink during drought including perhaps the occasional Moorhen.
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Farmland hedgerows attract Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Goldfinch and Bullfinch. Scan adjacent woodland canopies for soaring raptors, typically Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, plus a chance of Red Kite and possibly Goshawk or Honey Buzzard. Swift and hirundines also feed over woodland and farmland respectively. Check for Red-legged Partridge.