Southey Wood
by George Walthew
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PBC Where to Watch Birds Southey Wood by George Walthew |
| Sightings for past week: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past month: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past year: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
This is one of the few woods close to Peterborough with easy access. It has forest walks and boosts a car park. It is however a conifer plantation with such exotic trees as Giant Fir, Western Hemlock and Lawson Cypress to mention but a few. Despite this the wood is well worth a visit as the trees are of mixed ages with stands of mature trees, some deciduous and a good ground cover in places as well.
A hard dirt track passes through the centre of the wood and is only muddy towards the north-western end even in bad weather. Numerous small tracks lead off left and right but good footwear is advised on these as they can be wet and muddy. Most of the birds can be seen near the car park so you really don't have to walk far, just let the birds come to you!
The wood is a good spot to see conifer loving birds such as Coal Tits and Goldcrests which are usually present in some numbers. All the other small birds are present as well including Treecreepers and Marsh Tits. You might even be lucky enough to spot a Willow Tit as they also occur in the wood. Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers frequent the wood but its main claim to fame are the Crossbills which regularly occur here. It is the only place in the Peterborough recording area where you are likely to see this species, although they can be elusive.
The wood is situated near Castor Hanglands, to the west of Peterborough near the village of Ufford. To reach it take the unclassified road to Marholm from north Bretton which passes the crematorium. Continue along this road towards Ufford passing through Marholm and passing the first cross roads, with roads leading to Helpston in the north and Castor in the south. At the second cross roads turn left and continue for half and mile to the wood on your right. At the start of the wood an entrance leads along a dirt track to the car park under mature pines.
