Moss & Height Spring Wood

Moss and Height Spring Wood is an area of ancient woodland near Bouth in Cumbria. The 48 acre wood is believed to be at least 350 years old and the wide track that dissects it is thought to be a former coffin route used by the people of Bouth to reach the nearby church at Colton. 

 

The area is dominated by oak, yew and birch. Much of Moss Wood was traditionally coppiced until the 1950s. Since then it has been managed to form mature woodland. 

Traditional coppicing was reintroduced at Height Spring to the south of the central track, in1993. The predominant species being sessile oak with other species including birch, alder and hazel.

Coppice material is used in traditional crafts and for hurdles, bean poles and in the tanning industry where oak bark is used. Charcoal is also kilned on site. Old veteran trees of yew, oak and crab apple are dotted throughout the woodland with the latter often being found close to old charcoal pitsteads.

Almost as soon as we entered the wood we saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker foraging for insects. He didn't seem too bothered by our prescence and carried on with his food search. We saw several other woodpeckers also and there was a lot of evidence of their drilling!

The woods were absolutely full of birdsong as we walked along the path. We spent a good while trying to identify individual birds by their song; we could have done with Bill Oddie really! We did hear a Tawny Owl calling and a pair of Buzzards nearby.

The woodland contains a rich and varied ground flora including species such as dog's mercury,bilberry,wild garlic, primrose, honeysuckle, violets and wild strawberry. 

 

Several small streams meander through the wood creating boggy and mossy areas.

  

Ferns were just beginning to unfurl underneath moss laden trees, studded here and there with the pale flowers of Wild Sorrel.

 

We found a lovely place amongst the Bluebells to eat our picnic.

As we enjoyed our lunch we watched a pair of Orange Tip butterflies perform their mating ritual.

As we made our way back to the entrance to the wood, we spotted a couple of roe deer watching us from an adjacent field. The appearance of two very boisterous dogs behind us on the path sent them bounding away out of sight before we had a chance to take a photo, unfortunately. Nevertheless, just seeing them for a few brief moments was a lovely end to a lovely walk.

As always, thanks for visiting & I hope you've enjoyed the photos!