Houghton Woods

A bright, mild autumn day, with a southerly breeze, I head to Houghton Woods, my first visit to the site. I park at North Cliffe village, and take a 4 mile circular route including the woods. There is a steep climb just off North Cliffe, the 'cliff', the path lined with hawthorns. Woodpigeons and Fieldfares feed on them. 

Fieldfare feeding on haws.

Looking back towards North Cliffe.

North Cliffe village and wood in the distance.

Once on top of the cliff, there is a plateau with agricultural land and pastures before the wood. The pillowy nests of meadow ants obvious on some slopes. At some point Rooks, Gulls and Woodpigeons spook and fly over the wood, but I see no raptor.

Yellowhammer.

I get close to Houghton Wood, a plantation with a lot of birch, some oak and conifers mainly on flat land. There is a strong presence of rhododendron. Patches of the wood are sandy and the soil is peaty and acidic, with a small patch of heather by a ditch. 

I walk most of the right of way bridleways and paths. There are pheasants everywhere. On a pheasant feeder, a Marsh Tit takes advantage of the spilled seed.

Marsh Tit.

Common haircap moss, Polytrichum commune.

The golden larches and reddish bracken add a note of colour to the woods.

Rhododendron and oak.

I find the typical assortment of woodland birds, including Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and even a calling Tawny Owl. A flock of Common Redpolls flies over the trees. A mixed flock of Long tailed tits, Goldcrest and Coal tit moves through the pine trees.

 At about noon, I get to a clearing where the trees have been recently felled. I spot a Comma stopping to bask on a trunk by the path and take some shots. The perfect place for a picnic! As I'm eating my lunch a Common Darter lands next to my feet! I wasn't expecting any active butterflies and dragonflies so having both makes my trip.

Sunbathing Comma butterfly.

Common Darter.

Looking towards a pool in the clearing I can see the silhouettes of flying darters, including a pair in tandem. As I approach I watch them ovipositing.

Ovipositing Common Darters.

The pool in the clearing.

Fungi.

I come out of the woods. A Buzzard meows over. The land is now pastures with cows.

  Some of the public right of way is through the pastures, with this inviting sign warning you.

 Houghton Hall in the distance, surrounded by parkland.

A parasol?

A wooden plank bridge over the beck at Witch Gill

Witch Gill beck.

After a short walk on the road I get to North Cliffe. I would definitely return to Houghton Woods in the spring.