Great news from Natural Enterprise about the reopening of some woods in East Cowes that have been closed for six years. Ed.
People from East Cowes, and further afield, were treated to an exploration through their secret wood on Sunday (17 April) guided by Ian Boyd, Head of Environment at Natural Enterprise, on the hunt for flowers, birds and mini-beasts.
Ian took the group through a hidden door unlocked for the first time in six years and on the other side they were welcomed by slow worms snoozing along the path edges, speckled wood butterflies spiralling in the sun, cuckoo bees, weevils and hoverflies.
To the sound of birdsong
All of this to the sound of woodland birdsong: blackcap, wren, robin and chiffchaff together were making the little wood a real haven.
The highlight of the walk came when two red squirrels decided to put on a bit of a show; all of these sightings will be recorded and will be the basis for a continuing management of the woodland for its wildlife and for local people as it will in time become once again a public place.
Ian Boyd said, “It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the wood and learn more about it. It’s not very often we can venture through a woodland which has been relatively undisturbed for so long. Spring really has arrived and I hope all those who came along enjoyed themselves.”
Open for Easter Egg hunt this on Friday
The woodland, owned by SEEDA, has been closed to the public for approximately six years while development has been taking shape in the area.
It was especially opened up for this guided walk and will be opened again on Good Friday, April 22nd at 10.30am for an Easter Egg hunt. There will be further events organised in May and June.
Easter Egg Hunt
Date: 22nd April
Time: 10.30
Meeting place: Well Rd car park
Anthony Dimmick of David Wilson Homes said “This is the first opportunity that we have had to re-open a much loved wood and it’s great to see so many local people enjoying it. We’ve already put a plan in place to ensure the wood is managed properly for the future benefit of its wildlife and the people of East Cowes”.
