Wolves Wood facts for kids
Wolves Wood is a special forest near Hadleigh in Suffolk, England. It's one of only seven "ancient woodlands" in Suffolk. An ancient woodland is a place that has been a forest continuously since the year 1600 or even earlier! This means it has a very long history with trees.
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What is Wolves Wood?
Wolves Wood is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which is a charity that helps protect birds and their homes. They use a special way of managing the trees called coppicing. This means cutting down some trees close to the ground, which helps new shoots grow and creates different habitats for wildlife.
The wood is about six miles from Ipswich railway station and is located near the A1071 road. It covers an area of about 38.4 hectares, which is like 70 football fields! Wolves Wood is also part of a larger important area called the Hintlesham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's a place recognized for its important plants, animals, or geology.
Plants and Animals in the Wood
Wolves Wood is home to many different living things. You can find strong oak trees growing here.
Many animals also live in the wood. You might spot roe deer quietly moving through the trees. The wood is also a great place for insects, with twelve different kinds of dragonfly and damselfly flying around.
For bird watchers, Wolves Wood is a real treat! Some of the birds you might see or hear include the Garden Warbler, the Great Spotted Woodpecker tapping on trees, the tiny Marsh Tit, the beautiful singing Nightingale, and the fast-flying Sparrowhawk.
Visiting Wolves Wood
If you want to explore Wolves Wood, there's a mile-long nature trail that goes in a circle, perfect for a walk. There's also a car park that can fit about 15 cars. If you prefer cycling, there's a Sheffield stand (which is a type of bike rack) for your bicycle, as the wood is close to a Sustrans cycle route.
Other Ancient Woodlands in Suffolk
Wolves Wood is not the only ancient woodland in Suffolk. There are six others that are also very old and important:
- Arger Fen and Spouses Grove
- Assington Thicks
- Bradfield Woods
- Bull's Wood
- Snakes Wood
- Staverton Park-Butley
