TWT
Many conifers have recently blown over. We're prioritising the clearing of those that are unsafe or that are blocking rights of way. Over the coming months we hope to clear trees that block smaller pathways. The fallen trees provide excellent habitats and we deliberately do not tidy the site too much. The soils at Newbourne are thin and the trees are growing on an exposed hillside - the wet weather presumably softened the soil and made the trees vulnerable to subsequent storm damage.
1st May 2012
This small plantation woodland, once part of a 12th century deer park, forms part of the wooded skyline surrounding the upper Arrow valley around Alvechurch.
In the late 1950s the reserve was planted with black, Scots and lodgepole pines, larch, chestnut, oak, beech and Douglas fir. By 1971 fifty species of bird were recorded. Although nightingales are no longer heard at Newbourne Wood, visitors should still look out for goldcrests, redpolls and siskins.
The Trust has been slowly thinning and harvesting the conifers for timber, opening up glades and widening the rides. As this has let more sunlight into the wood the numbers of plants, birds and animals has increased.
The land here was formed by a glacial terminal moraine in the last ice age and there are beautiful panoramic views of the landscape from the woodland edge.
Species and habitats
- Habitats
- Woodland
- Species
- Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Speckled Wood, Brimstone
Nearby nature reserves
- Lion Wood
- 2 miles - Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
- Grovely Dingle
- 3 miles - Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
- Ipsley Alders Marsh
- 3 miles - Worcestershire Wildlife Trust