Field Trip to South Suffolk 22-30 March 2025
Although over the border near Bury St Edmunds, Bradfield Woods at Bradfield St George according to past BNA Hon Fellow Dr Oliver Rackham is one of the best ancient woods in Britain. He noted it was once part of the Abbey of Bury St Edmund’s woods. Bradfield Woods are SSSI & NNR status, & have been under constant coppice management since at least 1252. Rackham noted at the Abbey’s Dissolution in 1538 it had 13 woods over 100 acres in size, by 1950 6 were intact, but now the only intact survivor is Felshamhall Wood (in Bradfield Woods).
During our early Spring visit the extensive areas of Ramsons (Wild Garlic, alt Wood Garlic, alt Bear’s Garlic) were in good leaf but not yet opened in flower. The ‘Bear’s Garlic’ name is enshrined in their Latin name of Allium ursinium. Some Oxlips were in full flower, mainly those at edges of rides, but more would be following on.
The woods are a noted Nightingale site. Studies at Bradfield Woods at Bradfield Woods found coppice growth of 3-8 years after cutting provided ideal habitat for Nightingales & older coppice less so.