Waresley & Gransden Woods

Welcome to waresleywood.co.uk, a website dedicated to providing information on all topics relating to the Waresley and Gransden Woods reserves of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

News - 20/07/2024

Despite a return to summery weather, the paths in Gransden wood in particular are still muddy and slippery. So once again I ask visitors to take care, wear sturdy footwear and keep to the middle of paths.

Conservation work parties have now finished for the season. If you're interested in joining us when work parties start again in September, contact me using the form on the About page. View the Conservation Work web page for more details of the work we carry out.

18/07/2024 - the stretch of open grassland, known as the Glade, is at its peak of floweriness at the moment. It is covered by meadowsweet, purple loosestrife and betony and alive with insects. Take care when exploring here, as it remains waterlogged in the middle!

11/07/2024 - around this time of year, Brownes' Pieces is an ideal place for spotting marbled white butterflies, flittering from flower to flower. Today I was lucky to catch one resting just long enough for a photo.

11/07/2024 - you can find the blue / violet wildflower, selfheal, growing close to the ground throughout the woods and Brownes' Pieces (left image). But on this visit, I was able to find an example of the white Cut-leaved selfheal (right image). A first for me! Click here for a list of what I've seen so far this year.

04/07/2024 - on today's visit we were pleased to see several silver washed fritillary butterflies. A very welcome sight in a year when the numbers of butterflies on the wing, appears to be much reduced.