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Bill Oddie Goes Wild
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Britain was once almost entirely covered in forests and woodland, but the centuries have seen most ancient woodland cleared. What remains is a real haven for all sorts of wild creatures, especially mammals, birds, insects and flowers.
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the more ancient the woodland, the better the wildlife: areas such as the new Forest, Epping Forest and the Forest of Dean are all excellent |
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however, even newly planted areas such as Kielder Forest in Northumberland can be good if you know where to go |
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in spring, make a pre-dawn start to hear the greatest free show on earth: the dawn chorus of woodland birds such as warblers, thrushes and tits |
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a winter walk may seem quiet, but watch out for fallow deer and the introduced muntjac, and listen carefully for the sound of a feeding flock of small birds such as tits and goldcrests, or for the plaintive song of the robin |
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lift up fallen logs to look for invertebrates - but make sure you put them back! |
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in the forests of northern Britain and Scotland seek out red squirrels - shyer than their grey cousin but can be seen with patience |
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in some areas badgers can be watched at organised viewpoints without disturbing them as they go about their lives |
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Find out more about woodland plants in UK Wildlife |
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