Parking and access: from
Canterbury take the A290, Whitstable Road. After 1.5 miles, turn left,
signposted Rough Common, then follow the signpost for the reserve on your
right. GR 122595.
This ancient woodland is one of the most extensive in
southern England, forming part of the Blean - a belt of several large
woodlands to the north and west of Canterbury of tremendous
conservation value.
Parts of this particular woodland are privately owned,
with restricted access, but most of it is an RSPB nature reserve, incorporating
areas owned by English Nature and the Woodland Trust. The site is perhaps
most notable for its colonies of the exceptionally
rare heath fritillary butterfly, and internationally important areas of
oak-hornbeam woodland. Blean Woods is also an excellent reserve for birds
including nightingales, nightjars, nuthatches and tree creepers.
Historically, the Blean was managed by coppicing which
has been re-established through much of the wood. Some of the sweet
chestnut coppice is being converted to mixed coppice and high forest -
habitats that support more wildlife. It may surprise
you to know that open areas with few or no trees are of great value within
the woodland as a whole, and are being deliberately
created. Here heather grows on the acidic soils, and these mini-heathlands,
characteristic of the Blean, are perfect habitat for
nightjars and other important species.
With traditional management, past and present, so much
in evidence, and such large areas of ancient
woodland remaining, the Blean as a whole cannot be underestimated in its
significance. It is, in its own way, as valuable as other more widely
known wooded areas, such as the New Forest and the Forest of Dean.
For site leaflets, guided walk details and other
information: RSPB 01227 455972 or E-mail:
michael.walter@rspb.org.uk
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