Wildlife at Bourne Woods

Kesteven Forest
Lincolnshire
England
Bourne is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: TF 075201

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Bourne Wood is a quiet ancient woodland with mixed conifer woods and semi-natural broadleaf woodland. The wood contains a car park, picnic area and toilets with a small childrens play area. A sculpture trail takes walkers past a number of sculptures crafted by both resident artists and local school children over a number of years. The trail takes visitors up to the ponds where kingfishers can often be seen. The wood is being gradually restored to native broadleaf woodland under the 'Ancient Woodland Project' The Friends of Bourne Wood help to look after the wood and organise regular events throughout the year.

Mammals: Beginning with bats, Bourne Wood is a great hunting ground for pipistrelle, brown long-eared, whiskered, Natterer's, Daubenton's, and the rare Leisler's bat. There are also muntjac and fallow deer, and the shy badger, all of which you are most likely to see at dawn and dusk. You are likely to spot plenty of rabbits and grey squirrels here, too. We have information about Fallow deer and Badger

Birds: Bourne is fortunate enough to be home to the sweet-tongued nightingale during the summer months. You may also here the garden and grasshopper warblers. The jay, green woodpecker and greater spotted woodpecker are common sights, whereas the less common tree pipit, crossbill and siskin can be spotted from time to time.

Insects and reptiles: Grass snake, slow worm, and common lizard live here, together with all the newts. As for butterflies, purple hairstreak breed here, although you are unlikely to see one since they fly high above the oak trees. White admiral and Essex Skippers are other unusual species you might see.

Habitats: Bourne is a mixed broadleaved/conifer lowland woodland. There are a number of ponds in the woods, with associated plant and invertebrate species, including many kinds of dragonfly.

How to get there:
On foot the woods can be accessed from Beech Avenue, Bourne. By road a car park is signposted off of the A151 half a mile west of Bourne.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Enter through:
Bourne Wood Car Park

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Facilities:

Activities:

	There is a kilometre-long, surfaced, level trail which starts close to the car park. A network of grass rides and tracks criss cross the wood.			The Lincolnshire Cycle Route runs from the north to the south of the wood,and is waymarked. General cycling is permitted throughout the woods.

Other places to go in Kesteven Forest
Morkery Wood
Twyford Wood
Callan's Lane Wood
Ropsley Rise Picnic Area
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
Temple Wood

Contact:
Northants Office

01780 444920
e-mail: northants@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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