Gamsey Wood
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A fragment of ancient woodland nestled in a working farm |
Gamsey Wood, dominated by ash and field maple trees, is situated where the clay uplands adjoin the Fenland Basin. Along with nearby woods – Lady’s and Raveley Wood – Gamsey Wood is believed to be a fragment of the ancient forest that once covered much of this area in Saxon times.
The ground flora is typical of the ash/field maple coppice woods in this area. Gamsey Wood is renowned for its displays of spring flowers, and in summer pendulous sedge and enchanter’s-nightshade adorn the rides. There are several wild service-trees in the wood, whose speckled berries were once used to make an alcoholic drink called chequers. An area of small-leaved elms is recovering from Dutch elm disease. Since the 1970s this disease has killed off many of Britain’s mature elms.
Nightingales visit the wood, and you might hear their trilling and fluted song on summer evenings. Fieldfare and redwing visit during the winter as well as woodcock, which fly off with a loud whirring noise if disturbed.
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Plants: Bluebell, primrose, yellow archangel, wood anemone, goldilocks buttercup |
Plants: Pendulous sedge, enchanters-nightshade Birds: Nightingale |
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