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Description
Woodoaks Farm is quite large because it utilities Bottom Wood, a rich woodland, for wildlife. There is also the smaller Ladywalk Wood on the other side of the M25. Most of the site is farmland and hedgerows, encouraging species such as kiuru, tuulihaukka and sometimes keltasirkku.
Woodoaks is a great example of combining agriculture and conservation in a safe and sustainable way. The friendly community have contributed massively to building habitat for threatened farmland species and encouraging young people to interact with nature. Guided walks allow visitors to experience butterflies, birds and bats up close. The farm is also in the middle of the Black Barn Project. The large Black Barn is being turned into a space for learning and opportunities for the community. This will also help accelerate the biodiversity projects and will allow more people to experience the wildlife.
The paddocks behind the Creative Brewery offer punakylkirastas, räkättirastas and laulurastas in the winter. vihertikka and varpushaukka can be seen all year, and in the summer keltavästäräkki can be seen feeding by the cattle. There are occasional records of lehmähaikara too, a scarcity in Hertfordshire.
Ladywalk and Bottom Wood hold many standard woodland species. pyrstötiainen flocks often contain hippiäinen, but there is always a decent chance of tulipäähippiäinen.
L&L Wildlife Monitoring is a company which specialises in monitoring of raptors. Many nest boxes are on the farm, some of which have been sponsored by the community, giving us an insight into the lives of secretive species. I have sponsored two Barn Owl boxes, one in the Black Barn and one in the Orchard, which have had many visits from both minervanpöllö and tornipöllö. The tuulihaukka box also gets a lot of activity.
The highlights of the farm are undoubtedly the owls. lehtopöllö can be seen in the woods, tornipöllö can be seen hunting over the fields at dusk and the minervanpöllö pair is reliable in the paddocks at their nest box but can be seen anywhere on the farm.
Other raptors include tuulihaukka, varpushaukka, hiirihaukka, nuolihaukka, isohaarahaukka and on occasion muuttohaukka.
pensastasku, kivitasku and pensaskerttu can all be seen in the summer by the compost heap. pajusirkku and mustapäätasku can be seen along the path all year.
Finally, massive finch flocks made of peippo, tikli, hemppo and sometimes järripeippo can be seen at any time of the year. The rarest bird at the site so far is a keltahemppo in 2022.
Overall, Woodoaks is definitely a site to visit if you are in the Colne Valley and I recommend popping in for some cake, a hot drink and some great farmland birds whenever you go birding via the M25.
Details
Access
To access Woodoaks Farm, come off the M25 J17 onto Denham Way A412. Turn right at next roundabout towards Maple Cross and Denham, staying on A412. It will be immediately on your right. It should also be opposite Maple Lodge Nature Reserve if you are familiar with that site.
The farm has two car parks, one by the Creative Brewery and one on the grass. Press a P on the map for directions. You can have a good look at the wood and fields by going on the circular main path which goes between the fields, through Ladywalk Wood and back down beside the Orchard. The paddocks are behind the Brewery car park and you can have a look at the Orchard and the owls. Do not deviate from the path and into the fields as much of it is privately owned and, though the residents are friendly, it is best to stay out of trouble.
There is a new observation spot in Ladywalk Wood where you can get a great view of the fields. It is meant to allow visitors to see butterflies and Roe Deer up close, but you can also observe fasaani and harmaahaikara feeding in the crops.
On the Butterfly Walk, you are allowed to access an untouched meadow where insects thrive, but this is off limits otherwise.
Bottom Wood is accessible via the obvious M25 bridge in Ladywalk Wood that also leads to Heronsgate. It is worth checking if you have time for woodland species and Roe Deer.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Agriculture , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Moors/heathlandConditions
Open landscape , Wet , FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Autumn migration , Spring migrationRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
The gull flocks are worth scanning through when they reach 30+ individuals. kalalokki are occasionally present.
The wetland and woodland based Maple Lodge Nature Reserve is directly opposite. taivaanvuohi and töyhtöhyyppä are the only waders you are likely to see flying over or even landing as they come from the reserve.
If you are also interested in botany, fungi, entomology or herpetology, the woods are excellent. Slow Worms are sometimes visible as they cross the path, and I found a Grass Snake eggshell once.
A ampuhaukka was recorded once in Bottom Wood.
Roe Deer, Muntjac, Edible Dormouse and even Weasels are just some of the unique mammals that can be seen on the farm, though Roe Deer is the only one you are guaranteed to see in the fields. Bats are also fascinating mammals of the farm. The bat walks in April and September mainly include Soprano Pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle and Noctule. However, Brown Long-eared Bats have been recorded in the Black Barn. Nathusius' Pipistrelle, quite a rare bat species, can be found at Maple Lodge NR and there is a tiny chance they can deviate and arrive on the farm.
The Tea Shack, Ricky's Alkaline Market and the Creative Brewery are the main facilities on the farm. The Creative Brewery is the host place for quizzes, parties or just going for a nice snack and drink. Several other markets also appear including flowers, perfumes and decorations. Despite being busy, there is no shortage of birds when enjoying a sugary delight, and a moment at the Tea Shack can be the perfect opportunity to see something walking in the fields.