There’s nothing better than enjoying the vibrant autumn colours on a woodland walk. Keep an eye out for wildlife busily preparing for winter. A good species to look out for is the ivy bee, which you may well spot gathering nectar on clumps of ivy. This is one of the few plants still flowering and providing nectar at this time of year. 

Woodland habitat provides an abundance of nectar for pollinators, as well as habitat for fungi, lichen and many insects that feed on deadwood as part of their lifecycle. 

Ancient woodlands are particularly valuable for wildlife. Reminiscent of the ents in the Lord of the Rings, they have been around since at least the year 1600¹. A study by the Woodland Trust shows us that areas with more ancient woodland have more plant species (species richness)². Nooks and crannies in old trees in ancient woodland provide great sheltering and nesting spots for wildlife like bats and birds. 

So, the next time you’re enjoying an autumn walk, keep an eye out for the colourful ‘popcorn’ berries of spindle, vibrant red berries of guelder rose and golden-brown berries of wild service tree. These are all plants that can indicate ancient woodland. If you find them, you may very well be in a very ancient and special habitat!

2% of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull is covered in ancient woodland³. This is an area about half the size of Coventry. Sadly, many sections of ancient woodland are still being chipped away, by HS2 for example. This is despite their recognition as irreplaceable habitats³, i.e. habitats that can’t be recreated… at least not for hundreds of years. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust recommend a minimum 50m buffer between development and ancient woodland and a 30m buffer between development and all other broadleaved woodland (not including conifer plantations). Find out how you can respond to planning applications and local planning policy here. 

Don’t forget that in your own garden or any other green space, you can recreate some of the features of woodland habitats. Creating log and leaf piles are good autumnal activities to get friends and family involved with. Many native woodland plants like guelder rose, dogwood, spindle and wayfaring tree make great garden plants as well. 

If you want to find out more, have a look at the State of Habitats report produced over the last year through the Natural Capital Assessment Partnership. 

References

1. Natural England & Forestry Commission. Ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees: advice for making planning decisions. [Online]. 2022. [Accessed 07/10/2025]. URL: <https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ancient-woodland-ancient-trees-and-veteran-trees-advice-for-making-planning-decisions>   
2. Reid, C., et al. State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2021. Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Woodland Trust, 2021.
3. Natural England. Ancient Woodland (Revised (England) - Completed Counties) [Data set – Open Govt license – contains OS data (Crown copyright and database rights 2024 - OS AC0000851168)]. Natural England, 2024.