Rough Hey Wood

Also within

Lancashire County

Condition (Natural England)

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Area,5.9 hectares 14.5 ac Description Rough Hey Wood is situated approximately one kilometre to the north west of the village of Claughton, near Garstang and is a planted mixed woodland containing one of Britain’s largest heronries (grey heron). The wood is a mixed plantation of oak, sycamore and alder, dating back over 100 years, with patches of exotic conifers of more recent origin in the centre. Formerly the heron nested in the hardwoods but have in recent years moved almost entirely into the conifers, particularly the larch in the central block, which they appear to favour despite problems with windblow. The colony has increased in numbers quite dramatically since the early 1960s, when only about 20 nests were occupied, to a peak count of 137 nests in 1975. This increase is largely due to the location of the wood within the Claughton Hall Estate, providing a degree of protection from human disturbance and the wood has in recent years regularly supported over 100 pairs 115 on average, which represents more than one percent of the total British breeding population. The Claughton heronry (heron) is therefore of national importance and is one of only 5 heronries in Britain regularly containing over 100 nests. Other birds known to breed include chiffchaff, black cap, tawny owl, sparrowhawk and great spotted woodpecker.

Species mentioned