The Homewood Park Nature Trail follows a path through an area of woodland with open glades and bracken to an old coppice of sweet chestnut and hazel that is more than 100 years old. Within the woods are a number of exotic species of trees and flowers, can you spot those plants that are not native to Britain?
Follow the wooden boards around the trail, looking carefully for any wildlife that you may see...

Detailed map of area and Nature Trail Post Locations

1). The Cypress and Rhododendron growing here are the remnants of ornamental planting associated with Botleys Mansion. These quick growing, invasive species form a dense thicket that shades out the native woodland flora and provides a poor habitat for many animal species. Only the pioneering habit of Birch, our native invader that dominated the first woodlands of post-glacial Britain, is able to compete effectively with these exotic species. Listen out for woodland and garden birds like robin, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Blackbird.


2). Young Oak and Birch form small woody clumps surrounded by bright, open glades of bracken and bramble. These glade woods are a great place to spot butterflies, the bright yellow Brimstone or dowdier Speckled Wood may be seen here on a sunny day.


3). The multi-stemmed growth habit of the Ash tree has probably arisen from coppicing that has subsequently been abandoned. The adjacent cool damp mossy bank is an infrequent habitat in these woods.


4). At the edge of the Bracken dominated glades two members of the mint family can be found, the wrinkly leafed and herb-scented Wood Sage and strong-smelling Ground Ivy can be seen on the woodland floor. Also look out for stinking Hellebore, a poisonous relative of the Buttercup; and Small Balsam, with its delicate two-lipped flowers.


5). An old Oak stump has been left here as a good habitat for invertebrates. The larva of the Stag Beetle feeds and matures in dead wood like this. The Stag Beetle, with its ferocious looking jaws, is Britain's largest beetle and is known to occur at this site. It is now a rare beetle and is restricted to mature woodland sites predominately in south eastern Britain.


6). The Oak is Britain's most admired tree and is a major component of our woodlands. Mature Oak provides habitat for more species of invertebrate than any other single tree species. Look out for the galls of tiny insects, like the smoothly spherical marble gall, on leaves and twigs.


7).The twin-stemmed Sweet Chestnut is another sign of an old abandoned coppice. Look on the ground for wild snowdrops in the spring, sweet smelling honeysuckle in summer and the bright red berries of Lords and Ladies, or wild Arum in the autumn.


8). Secondary woodland of young, self-seeded Birch trees is a common sight in neglected areas and for this reason the birch tree is much maligned as invasive and destructive. However, young birches provide excellent habitat for many invertebrate species and are also favoured by birds like the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Listen out for their distinctive calls.


9). The fine specimens of mature Sweet or Spanish Chestnuts are easy to spot from the twist of the bark, reminiscent of the swirl of a flamencos dancer's skirt. Small holes in the trunk may be home to nesting birds such as the Nuthatch or tits. The dead wood around here provides a good home for invertebrates such as click beetles, so called because of the noisy clicking sound they make when they try to right themselves after being turned upside down.


10). Hazel is probably the most commonly coppiced tree in this country, although many have now been abandoned. The long straight stems are still used to make fences, hurdles and walking sticks. The appearance of hazel lambs' tails or catkins is one of the first signs of spring. In autumn, Cobnuts or filberts were once commonly harvested by humans, now they provide an important food source for Grey Squirrels, shrews and voles.


11). Mature trees and associated dead wood provide excellent invertebrate habitats, which are the staple food of birds such as woodpeckers and the secretive treecreepers.
You may hear the distinctive drumming of woodpeckers searching for grubs in old boughs, or hear the yaffling call of Britain's largest and rarest species the Green Woodpecker. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is, however, a more common sight in these woods.


12). The lofty spreading branches of Scots Pines dominate the canopy here. Although these trees are not native to this part of Britain, their straight tall trunks are immensely impressive, look up to see how the dark brown bark has flaked away revealing the rusty red screen underneath. On the floor Bracken, that ubiquitous fern grows in an almost monoculture. On the trail through the woods you may have spotted another fern species, the Male Fern, or it's relative the Broad Buckler Fern, with large, finely toothed, dark green fronds spreading from a central crown.


13). Listen out for the melancholic call of the Wood Pigeon, oo-OOO-oo, oo-oo, and the melodic and beautiful song of the Song Thrush.


14). In a patch of Cherry Laurel numerous small bird species may be seen or heard. Look out for Long Tailed Tit, Wren and the visiting Blackcap as well as other common garden birds.


15). The broad flat crown of an enormous Scots Pine towers overhead. Below, an impenetrable thicket of Rhododendron provides cover for secretive animals and a mass of beautiful flowers in late spring. Rhododendron is not native to Britain and therefore supports few habitats for native bird and invertebrates. It is very invasive and is often cut down for conservation purposes.


16). The old and massive holly is an obvious feature here in both summer and winter. It is considered unlucky to ever cut down a holly tree and perhaps that is why this one is now so old. Holly branches are still used to decorate the home at Christmas, but we must be careful not to take wild, berry laden branches because they are a valuable winter food source for birds and will provide the next generation of this native festive tree. On mature trees like this only the leaves growing on the lower branches are spiny to discourage browsing by animals. whilst others, too high to be reached, have only a spiny tip.