Forest Friends
On Sunday 29th
May, King’s Wood (Site of Nature Conservation Interest) Challock, was
the setting of a guided bird walk by Jason Mitchell of the Kentish Stour
Countryside Project in co-operation with the Friends of Kings Wood.
The walk took place deep in
the forest, where it was hoped that there would be more chance of spotting
birds along the rides and in newly created glades.
Twenty-two people made the
journey and they were not disappointed, Black Cap, White Throat, Willow
Warblers, Tree Pipit, bullfinch and Coal Tits were amongst the more
uncommon birds that were seen by the group. Also seen were lizards, newts,
beetles and dragonflies.
Jason Mitchell, the
Canterbury Countryside Officer for the Kentish Stour Countryside Project
says " The weather was very kind to us and we had a good turnout of
wildlife enthusiasts. We had a good selection of songbirds as well as an
interesting supporting cast of Dragonflies and Moths. A particularly
interesting find was a couple of Gloworm larvae. I thought it was a very
successful walk and everyone enjoyed the ambience of King'’ Wood and its
wildlife".
The forest is also home to
birds of prey such as tawny owl and buzzard, although the group did not
see any this time. It is hoped that 10 new owl nest boxes, which have been
erected throughout the forest by The Friends of Kings Wood and the Kentish
Stour Countryside Project, will help raptor populations.
With the help of generous
funding from the Ashford Community Fund and the Kentish Stour Countryside
Project two new wildlife ponds have been created in the forest, this will
greatly help the diversity of wildlife and provide water for the forest’s
mammals. The funding has also paid for the production of a colour leaflet
on Kings wood, which will help even more people to discover and enjoy this
beautiful forest on the outskirts of Ashford.
The Friends of King’s Wood run guided
walks and other activities throughout the year - see events.
