About the reserve

The reserve comprises varied woodland covering the top and steep western slopes of Old Warren Hill. A stream running through the wooded dingle forms the western boundary. There is a large Badger sett in the ramparts of the hillfort.

The canopy is made up of a diverse mixture of species including Sessile Oak, Beech, Ash, Sycamore, English Elm, Wych Elm, Silver Birch, Sweet Chestnut, Scots Pine and Norway Spruce. The ground flora includes a spectacular display of Bluebells in the early summer.

The diversity of tree species and the physical structure of the woodland provide an ideal habitat for a variety of birds including Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, and Willow Warbler. Birds of prey are frequently seen soaring over the hill side, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk are the most frequent with occasional visits by Kestrel and Red Kite. Large numbers of Ravens also congregate over the reserve in the early autumn.

The wood is particularly rich in epiphytic lichens and fungi, the latter probably benefiting from the large number of decaying wind-blown trees.