Park Corner Heath and Rowland Wood Transect Report 2019

What can you see in each section?

Sections 1-7 are criss-crossed over Rowland Wood, whilst sections 8-10 are at Park Corner Heath. It's important to note that the reserve is divided in this way, as I have met visitors during the summer who don't realise just how big it is. Nor that the original reserve was added to in 2010 when we managed to acquire the additional Rowland Wood.

Section 1 stretches downhill gently away from the gate (where you can park): here the woodland thins out to the heathland area, so we often see a mixture of butterflies that like both habitats. It's a great place to see dragonflies by the way, but obviously not if they are looking for their butterfly lunches. Look for: White Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Green-veined White.

Section 2 takes a zig-zag across an open marshy area and up a warm slope, where all sorts of wildlife are competing for your attention, including slowworms, voles and dragonflies. Look for: Small and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Marbled White, Common Blue, Grizzled & Dingy Skippers.

Section 3 reaches across an area where we improved habitat early on during a work party, and now is also a sanctuary for toads, lizards and slowworms. Look for: Ringlet, Small Heath, Pearl & Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.

Section 4 has both shade and sun along a couple of wide straight rides, with a mixture of low scrub, mature trees and wildflowers. Look for: Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Skippers, Gatekeeper.

Section 5 is a big ride at the edge of the reserve, most recently cleared using heavy machinery as it was covered in dense conifer. The butterflies have already been bombing up and down this new area with great abandon, enjoying the connection from one part of the reserve to another. Look for: Silver-washed Fritillary, Meadow Browns, Red Admiral.

Section 6 starts to climb a slight hill where the ground cover keeps plenty of wildlife happy and safe, then turns left into a boggy section where the deer sometimes like to nap and scarlet elf cap fungi can emerge. ' Look for: Ringlet, White Admiral, Dark Green Fritillary.

Section 7 starts at the edge of the big pond (where toadlets cross the path in front of you, and deer hoofprints leave pointillist tributes in the muddy bank) and scoops across a plateau. This was opened up by conservation volunteers to help connect the lower and upper sections of the reserve by clearing scrub and letting the violets grow (so important for caterpillars). Look for: Wall Brown, Silver-washed Fritillary, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood.

Crossing over the dip of the ancient road at the end of Section 7, and then over the bank into Section 8, you are now in the area known as Park Corner Heath. This area gets a good amount of attention during conservation work parties to maintain the habitat and control the bracken. There is also an ephemeral pond here, so you may or may not spot wildlife enjoying water. Look for: Green Hairstreak, Dark Green, Small & Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

Following the path past Peter's Seat to Section 9, you will wander downhill into an area where the scrub has been held at bay so that the woodland species can stretch their wings. In the springtime, this area is carpeted with anemones and bluebells. Look for: Orange-tip, Comma Purple Hairstreak and Brimstone.

Section 10 is on the main plateau area where you can find grass snakes, adders and slowworms fairly regularly. Lots of bracken to control here but leaving some clumps does allow perches for the Pearls. Look for: Pearl and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Copper, Brimstone.