by Martin Sell
7th November 2004
14 members met in the Reserve car park on a damp and misty morning, with an ominous quietness over the woods. However, bird sounds were soon heard and several of the common woodland species were seen.
The woods and surrounding areas of chalk grassland amount to over 600 acres and comprise the flagship reserve of the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Much of the woodland is oak and beech with many of the alien planted conifers taken out. There are two hides overlooking small ponds, where birds often come to drink, but today were not productive. However, we soon caught up with Marsh Tit, Green Woodpecker, Redwing and Fieldfare and halfway round the wood the sun made a brief appearance. On the way we heard local Tawny Owls still hooting as though in the dead of night. Chaffinches and Bullfinches called, and then raptors materialised as it got brighter with Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, then Buzzard and Red Kites, the latter with their almost human whistling; these gave very good views, as one nowadays tends to take for granted when in the heart of the Chilterns.
Some of the regular birds did not put in an appearance – we did not see Willow Tit, for example, and there were no Bramblings with the Chaffinches, but the area is superb habitat, and even so close to civilisation, man-made noise is something rarely heard; a Spring visit should prove very rewarding in terms of birdsong. However, on this visit we probably spent more time trying to identify species of fungi, which have had a prolific season this year, due to the wet summer! A very interesting morning visit!