DEVON Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to visit Halsdon woodland near Hatherleigh and its other woodlands this spring.

The invitation to visit woodlands is part of a national initiative by the country’s wildlife trusts to get people to visit their local woodland in the coming weeks.

Steve Hussey, from Devon Wildlife Trust, said: ‘A walk through a woodland during spring offers opportunities aplenty to indulge your senses, and tune in to the wild, as the story of spring unfolds; from the arrival of migrant birds to the unrolling of bluebell carpets. Our message to people is to get out there now and enjoy this uplifting, free experience. Do not miss one of nature’s most wonderful seasonal events.’

Halsdon near Hatherleigh is a particularly good spot to hear and see woodland birds in spring. The great spotted and lesser spotted woodpecker will be drumming on the trees, while pied and spotted flycatchers will dart and twist their way through the air to catch insects.

Bill Oddie OBE, The Wildlife Trusts’ vice president, said: ‘Early spring, when the shapes of the branches are still clear but spangled with new buds. The birds are singing and you can see them, which isn’t so easy once the trees are in full leaf. When the sun shines through those trees it can be just like the lights at a music concert. Even when raining, it’s fabulous.’

Under foot, a carpet of colour is quietly and steadily unfolding.  Over the space of a few weeks in spring, from mid April onwards, bluebells set woodlands ablaze with their bright blue flowers. The UK is home to more than half the world’s population of Hyacinthoides non-scripta and their presence is a sure sign of very old woodland.  

The wildlife trusts look after more than 400 woodlands across the UK – from flower-strewn ancient woodlands to wild coastal woods, damp and rich in lichen and moss.  If the wood you visit is a remnant of ancient woodland, there could be carpets of wood anemones, followed by wild garlic and bluebells.

To help people explore their local woodland this spring The Wildlife Trusts have produced a guide to discovering favourite woodland walks and great places to see bluebells, ancient and unusual trees and woodland butterflies.

All are available at www.wildlifetrusts.org