A Walk in College Wood
Another Gem in the Bardney Limewoods
If at first you don’t succeed, give up try again. That’s what I told myself when a sign saying ’shooting in progress’ thwarted my attempts at exploring a recently discovered wood in the heart of the Bardney Limewoods. Not to be put off I returned yesterday for a midday walk in a cold but very enchanting wood…
College Wood easily deceives. Just past the impressive Chambers Wood it is situated on a minor road off the Wragby to Bardney road in Lincolnshire. What I expected to find was a fairly average walk hampered by boggy walkways and overgrown trees as is the case for a number of the surrounding woods under the Limewoods scheme. It was, however, quite the opposite. Not as large as Chambers but big nonetheless this is a wood which is being actively worked on by the Forestry Commision and is, I am sure a haven for wildlife. I couldn’t help but want to fast forward to the summer and see just what inhabits this wood.
The wood forks out into long and wide paths which in turn lead off into smaller paths taking you further into the wood. I came across a watch tower similar to the one I had first seen at Southery Wood and this, along with the many seed feeders placed around the woods is further evidence of the commision’s commitment to preserving its wildlife.
There is, so I am told quite a variety of wildlife to be found here including deer, squirrels, owls, pheasants and plenty of birdlife. I would love to come across a deer on my walks but if they are anything like the squirrels I have little chance of photographing one. There are a number of different tree varieties too, silver birch, oak, conifer, ash, spruce and naturally, lime. Wood pigeons are common and the neighbouring fields must offer a good food supply for the owls and kestrels which favour this part of the countryside.
I wasn’t long into my walk when the sound of a number of great tits filled the air as well as the trees. These are less common than you might think but they seem to have built up a small colony here…..
Carrying on I watched grey squirrels dart up long bare tree trunks only stopping when the remaining foliage offered protection and camouflage. Blackbirds are notorious at spoiling your attempts to watch and photograph, they hide in the undergrowth and, like a young partridge they wait until you are almost upon them before flying out of the shrub with a cry to its fellow residents warning them of an approaching alien-me!
There is a distinct lack of colour in the woods at this time of year save for the dark green of a holly or a towering spruce. Imagine my suprise when a flash of colour appeared from inside the woods, flitting between trees with barely a moment’s pause. The bullfinch is a difficult bird to photograph, they are very evasive. Any sign of a human prescence and they’re off, back into the heart of the wood so any sighting is a bonus. Barely had I raised my camera and it was off again, what this photo lacks in sharpness makes up in showing how a bare wood can be lit up by such a tiny creature and you wonder how its maker gave it such a colour during such a colourless time of year…..
Great post. I love your photos and the way you mix up your posts. Yours is such a different landscape from what I’m used to, it’s lovely and peaceful looking.
My diversion to your “creepy crawly” page was a delight as well. Several years ago I took a spider biology class which was so interesting. I was going to get involved in a study and collect spiders from high altitudes here in Colorado. I never did “collect” any for the study, but found some thriving at 12, 13, and even 14,000 feet above sea level. Incredible little guys.
Your birds are beautiful and your nature photography superb. I might be going out exploring today myself — I’ll bring my camera.
Melissa
January 9, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
Melissa,
Thanks, it is considerably different to your ‘neck of the woods’. I too wanted to go out today but the skies are what we call a ‘pea souper’ making it a waste of time for photography.
I bet you’ve got some amazing wildlife in Colorado. You should blog it-I’d really like that.
Enjoy your walk
Miles
January 9, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
Miles,
Love the photos and write up, a real feel for how it is at present.
I was amazed to hear a tentative little song from a blackbird the other day. I wonder if he was dreaming of Spring?
Lucky you for being near to woodlands. I miss them so much, such wonderful, peaceful places yet full of life.
Elsie
January 9, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Miles,
Woodlands are magincal places and those birds are beautiful, I love the bare branches of winter too. The sharing of your photographs is very much appreciated, I’m sure we all look forward to seeing them, especially me today since I’m just recovering from the dreaded flu and can’t’ get out…. achooooo!
Cid
January 9, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Elsie,
That’s spooky, I was thinking the very same thing when I heard the birds, it really did sound as though Spring was just around the corner.
Wishful thinking!
Miles
January 9, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
Cid,
Sorry to hear you are under the weather, look on the bright side, it could have been the far worse manflu
Miles
January 9, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Miles,
“I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king with manflu” ….
Cid
January 9, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
Cid,
Touche
Miles
January 9, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Cid,
. Get well soon.
I fear that you might have caught the dreaded flu when joining the throng in the hunt for winter bargain sales instead of walking in lovely woods like Miles. You may also be suffering from a lack of Gluehwein and Schnapps to kill off any invading bugs. Mr. Nean never suffers
Melissa, I envy you your mountains and wildlife which I truly miss like the woods Miles walks in. Enjoy!
Elsie
January 10, 2009 @ 9:46 am
Elsie,
You are right, too little fresh air and not enough Schnapps…. I shall breath in one and clean my teeth with the other
Cid
January 10, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Brilliant images Miles, it makes me wander around in a forest at photographing random images!
January 12, 2009 @ 5:38 am
Kevin,
Many thanks, it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours and I find it very theraputic. It doesn’t cost anything either
Kind regards
Miles
January 12, 2009 @ 8:55 am