Viking Project volunteers have been making the most of the unusually good January weather to coppicing and clearing at Golden Wood.

The two-acre land, bought from Hazel and Richard Wrinch 18 years ago and is maturing beautifully thanks to willing helpers led by retired logistics manager and former Suffolk Wildlife Trust volunteer Ian Peters.

Ian said: "We could let it go wild but because it is a small area we are trying to get the best out of it as we can for wildlife.

"If we can encourage wildflowers then that increases the amount of insects and that in turn supports the birds and the mammals.

"So it the whole eco thing rather than just the trees."

Gin-clear skies have made Golden Wood a wonderful attraction, for birdlife, wildlife and people.

Ian descried how he had spotted a flock of probably 600 linnets, goldfinches chaffinches all together feeding on the older cones on the morning volunteers assembled to work on the land.

"Even now as we are in the dead of winter the place is very much alive," said Ian.

More than 1,300 native hedging plants including; hawthorn, blackthorn, myrobalan plum, dog rose, field maple, dogwood, hazel and holly, with crab apple at intervals were planted in the spring of 2004, funded by Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.

The mature flowers, shrubs and hedging provide food, shelter and a popular habitat for many nesting birds while the open carpet made up over the year from more than 60 different types of wildflowers favour many species of insects including butterflies and dragonflies.

Ian explained how the Viking Project works with the Suffolk Butterfly Group to count butterfly numbers in same area of Golden Wood each year.

"We planted older, common buckthorn because brimstone butterfly caterpillar only feed on those plants. We saw the brimstones coming up and down the ride and then laid their eggs and I counted more than 70.

"Now from those 70 just one might survive because the birds love them."

The best time to see the butterflies is towards the and of March, through much of the summer and autumn.

Golden Wood's popularity is evidenced by he well trodden paths as families venture out and dogs are walked (preferably on a lead).

Primroses in particular make a spectacular sight during the spring months and volunteers help to cut away the vegetation once the wildflowers have set their seed and this is raked away to reduce the fertility of the land.

This promotes many species of wildflowers which are less able to withstand nutritious soil and more competitive plants which thrive under those conditions.

If you would like more information about volunteering contact: [email protected]

Or go to their new Viking Project facebook page here...

*Shotley Open Spaces will be leading one of their wellbeing walks down to Golden Wood tomorrow (Wednesday) starting from Shotley village hall car park at 11.30pm. All welcome.

Viking Project birthday celebration...

Tell us about your group, club or organisation by adding your updates, news articles, or pictures via the black Nub It button on the home page here.

Or email the editor: [email protected]