Garston Wood

An amazing area of woodland historically managed as hazel coppice and now part of the RSPB’s Dorset estate.

Until recently it was one of the few areas left that was reasonably reliable for Turtle Dove and the Hazel Dormouse. Whilst Dormouse can still be found legally I think we’d be on dodgy territory checking the numerous “nest boxes” so we decided to let sleeping dormice lie.

Mammals seen included Hares and Fallow Deer. The birdlife included most of the normal woodland species. Undoubtedly the highlight of the woodland in mid May was the spectacular ground flora.

Birds-nest Orchid A rare saprophytic orchid that lives off a fungi that has a symbiotic relationship with the roots of Hazel – no wonder its rare !

An unusually pale Early Purple Orchid

Common Twayblade – another woodland orchid

Sanicle – a favourites of the herbalists in the Middle Ages

Yellow Archangel

Toothwort - another saprophyte occasionally found on Hazel