Pamber Forest features

Wildlife and Habitats

The largest element of the site is acid oak/birch woodland, with smaller areas of coppiced hazel and sweet chestnut, and an area of more open heathy woodland that is grazed by a herd of dexter cattle.
Two rich stream valleys traverse the forest and this is where the richest flora are found and where the majority of the coppice is cut.
Mature oak woodland is punctuated by coppiced areas, particularly in the stream valleys.
In the North-east of the reserve an area of wood pasture grazed by the cattle provides further diversity.
Several open grassy rides and clearings are also to be found

Things are beginning to stir after this long cold winter. The warmer spring weather brings out reptiles from hibernation and early spring is the best time to search for adders as they bask in the sunshine on the edges of the rides and glades.
Common lizard and slow worms can also be seen in the same areas. On warm days look out for butterflies also emerging from hibernation, peacocks, commas and brimstones are the most likely.
Soon the wintering bird visitors, redwing and fieldfare will be leaving and residents and summer migrants will be arriving or starting to nest, already chiffchaffs have been singing.
Spring flowers will also be coming into their own very shortly so it is worth a visit to see them, particularly in the stream valleys where there is a much greater variety of species.
In the pond frogs, toads and newts will also be active now, mating and spawning, you may hear the croaking of the frogs and toads during a lull in the deafening spring chorus of the birds.
Birds will be best viewed from now until the leaves appear on the tress by the end of April.