Wild Land and Water
As well as being a spiritual retreat, Wild Ways is also a private nature reserve dominated by ancient woodlands and grasslands in which 64 species of trees and shrubs, 260 wildflowers and over 100 species of birds have been recorded to date. The site really is a hot-spot for biodiversity.
Wild Ways is located on the eastern (west-facing) slope of the valley of Borle Brook which was carved out of the landscape by the water that melted from the ice sheet that covered the land at the end of the last ice age. Borle Brook itself is a tributary of the River Severn and is home to a variety of water-loving birds including Dipper, Goosander, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and Mallard.
In addition to the running water, Wild Ways also has several ponds, two of which are adjacent to the main track and support amphibians including newts.
The majority of the woodland at Wild Ways is ancient, broadleaved and semi-natural. Although ancient woodland is defined as having been present since the year 1600 (when the first accurate maps were being drawn up), many ancient woodlands, including some areas at Wild Ways, are descended from the trees and shrubs that recolonised the land after the ice age finished retreating some 10,000 years ago!
The woodland canopy is dominated by Ash and oak together with Alder, Aspen, birch (Downy and Silver), Crab Apple, Crack-willow, elms (English and Wych), Sycamore and Wild Cherry, but there are also specimens of Small-leaved Lime and Wild Service-tree (Sorbus torminalis), which are indicators of ancient woodland. Non-native species that have been planted trees include Damson, Hybrid Black-poplar, Norway Spruce, Quince and Walnut.
The shrub layer (known as the understorey to ecologists and foresters) includes Blackthorn, Elder, Field Maple, Guelder-rose, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, roses (Dog- and Field-) Rowan, Spindle, Wild Privet, willows (Goat and Grey) and Yew.
From late spring through early summer, the woodland floor is dominated by patches of Bluebells, Dog’s Mercury, Dog-violets (both Common and Early), Enchanter’s-nightshade, Greater Stitchwort, Hedge Woundwort, Lesser Celandine, Lords-and-ladies, Ramsons (often called Wild Garlic), Wood Anemone, Wood Avens, Wood Forget-me-not, Wood Speedwell, Wood Spurge and Yellow Archangel. In damp or wetter areas, you can find both Alternate- and Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Bugle, Large Bitter-cress, Marsh-marigold, Meadowsweet, Wild Angelica and Yellow Flag. Eagle-eyed botanists may also find Early-purple Orchid, Moschatel, Sanicle, Spurge-laurel, Violet Helleborine and Woodruff.
The woodlands support resident populations of Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, tits (Blue, Coal, Great, Long-tailed and Marsh), Woodpigeon and Wren. In spring, the dawn chorus is enhanced by migratory birds including Chiffchaff, Cuckoo, Nightingale (not every year), Swallow, Swift, warblers (Garden and Willow) and Whitethroat, whereas after these have left for warmer climates, the winter thrushes (Fieldfare and Redwing) arrive from Scandinavia to feast on the plethora of berries and fruit on offer at Wild Ways.
The other main habitat at Wild Ways is grassland, with both the Dumpy Field (the one with the Yurt) and the Stone Circle Field being examples of ancient unimproved grassland, of which around 97% of the area present in England in the 1930’s has since been destroyed! Wildflowers to look out for include Agrimony, Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Common and Greater), Cat’s-ear, Common Knapweed, Common Spotted-orchid, Cuckooflower, Eyebright, Goat’s-beard, Hairy Tare, Musk-mallow, Pignut, Primrose, St John’s-wort, vetches and Yellow-rattle. In spring, the Stone Circle Field is host to a beautiful display of Wordsworth’s famous Wild Daffodils whereas, in winter, Mistletoe can be seen in the canopies of the poplar trees.
Another feature of the woodland at Wild Ways is the amount of dead wood that is left in situ to decay and provide habitat for wildlife, especially invertebrates and fungi, but piles of dead and decaying timber also support amphibians and reptiles, nesting birds, and small mammals. In November 2024 Wild Ways was visited by members of the Shropshire Fungus Group who recorded over 70 species including some relatively well-known species: Birch Polypore, Candlesnuff, Common Puffball, Coral Spot, Green Elfcup, Jelly-ear, King Alfred’s Cakes, Scarlet Elf Cup, Tar Spot, Turkey Tail, Velvet Shank and Yellow Brain!
Wild Ways has resident populations of Badgers, bats (species to be confirmed), deer (both Muntjac and Roe but you are more likely to see, or hear, the Muntjac), Grey Squirrels, mice and voles. Pine Martens have been recorded in Shropshire, and we hope that they will find Wild Ways in due course and make it their future home.
Butterflies to look out for include Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Fritillary (Pearl-bordered?), Red Admiral, Small Copper, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Wall and whites (Green-veined, Large and Small). Other invertebrates seen regularly include the Banded Demoiselle damselfly, Bee-flies and Hornets.