Nature Trail

Illustrated leaflet available from Haddenham Library, Banks Park - For enquiries about this web site - contact jacquie@haddenham.net 

Open at all times - Entrance is free
Let us know if you are interested in helping maintain this village amenity - Contact robyn.thorogood@which.net 

Note the numbers on the illustration and on the notes below to find out what you might see

1 - Enter Snakemoor through the gateway and walk down the fenced path. Work has commenced to lay the boundary hedge in the traditional manner.

2 - Silver birch and mountain ash border the copse. The seats provide a pleasant place to stop and rest, especially for the volunteer working group. The plaque is in memory of Bert Lee, our Parish Clerk from 1978 to 1988. A few trees have been coppiced. This is a traditional  form of woodland management in which trees are regularly cut off at ground level. The re-growth provides a sustainable source of fencing materials and firewood.

3 - February through to Spring brings an increasing coverage of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. The strong growth of thistles later in the year provides an ideal habitat for butterflies, such as meadow and comma.

4 - The pond holds water for most of the year.

•  The retained dampness encourages wetland plants and other wildlife such as frogs and dragonflies. Primroses are becoming established on the banks and the large willow trees will be pollarded in the next few years.

5 - Small ' wild' daffodils (Lobularis narcissi) were planted in the small glade during 1993. The walnut tree was planted in the same year.

6 - This very fertile area at the side of the meadow had a strong growth of nettles. Annual ploughing has been introduced to provide a project area for corn field flora of yesteryear. Many of these flowers such as corn marigold and corncockle are very uncommon in the wild because of the use of agricultural herbicides.

7 - The lower wetter half of the meadow has been planted with many fritillary bulbs. Both white and purple flowers can be seen at the beginning of May. Haddenham was once a stronghold of the now rare fritillary, but as in many areas, its populations have declined due to drainage of land.

8 - The meadow is not cut until late July or early August when a hay crop is taken. This allows the meadow flower seeds to mature, provides food for the birds and insects and promotes natural seeding for future plants.

9 - Bluebells, foxgloves and autumn crocus are growing in the small clearing. The seat is named after Don Jeffkins, one of the last in the village who knew and used the skills needed to build the local Wychert walls - the traditional form of wall built using mud. Many of the buildings and garden walls in Haddenham are of this material.

10 - The variety of hedging and trees along the boundary fence have been planted since 1992. Among these are guelder rose, field maple and crab apple. A few oaks can be seen on the other side of the path.

11 - The small tree with a deep furrowed bark is a robina or more correctly, a false acacia.

12 - Walk through the pleasant avenue formed by rows of sycamore trees, reminders pf when the site was a tree nursery. A few cowslips are becoming established further over towards the station car park.