Bunny Old Woods West

A Guided Tour Around Nottinghamshire

Access: There is limited parking off the A60 at SK579283 (please do not obstruct access). A further footpath access point is at SK584293 off Wysall Lane.

Habitat: A 38.5 acre ancient coppiced Wych Elm woodland dating back to the before the time of the doomsday survey of 1086. It was donated to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) in 1985 by British Gypsum whose old workings to the north of the wood are also worth exploring. The wood was in a poor state before it passed to the NWT with many of the more mature elms affected by Dutch Elm disease. Since 1985 much work has been done to restore it to its former glory to the benefit of its many inhabitants. As mentioned above the main tree found here is the Wych Elm but Ash, Oak, Field Maple, Wild Cherry and Crab Apple are also present. Other plants listed in the NWT fact sheet include hawthorn, Elder, Dog's Mercury, Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Yellow Archangel, Moschatel, Santicle and Common Twayblade.

Birds: Most of the woodland species you would expect to find have all been recorded and include all three woodpeckers, Tawny and Little Owl, Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap. Rarer species such as Brambling and Hawfinch have also been noted here.

Butterflies: Twenty three species of butterfly have been recorded to date making it one of Nottinghamshire's best sites to study this group of insects. Of principle interest are the two species of Hairstreak, Purple and White-letter, and a visit from mid to late July should give good views of both. The Purple Hairstreak is on the wing well into August and is best looked for at the top of the large oak near the A60 entrance. The first record of Purple Hairstreak was as recent as 1992 when one was found and photographed mating with a White-letter Hairstreak. The oaks at the western end of the Twayblade Ride are also a good place to look for Purple Hairstreak. If you keep to the northern ride you will come to a spot where there are several mature elms. This is the best place to lock for White-letter Hairstreaks which can be seen flitting around the tree tops.

Occasionally they will descend to nectar on bramble or even come down as far as the path. Many other species will also be attracted to the bramble here including Comma, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet. A short distance along from this area is a footpath which goes north and into a more open area alongside the gypsum workings. The rough grassy areas alongside the path should produce Small and Large Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper and Small Heath. Occasionally a White-letter Hairstreak may be found feeding on ragwort.

Other Wildlife : The Southern Hawker dragonfly has been recorded along the woodland rides, and the area also holds Grass Snake.

References

NWT reserve fact sheet number 31, free to members of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, 310 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, NG3 7DN.

East Midlands Branch Butterfly Conservation - Newsletter number 16.

From an article A Guided Tour Around Nottinghamshire courtesy of Nottingham Naturalist