Nature Trail - Board 3

Most of this hedgerow is beech which has been grown from saplings from Skelwith Fold Caravan Park – Moss Wood’s sister park in the Lake District. Amongst the hedge are also some holly and some wild blackberry plants. Can you spot them?

Beech Hedge

A common sight in Lancashire’s countryside, the Beech hedge offers year-round beauty. In spring, vibrant green leaves unfurl. Autumn turns them a glorious copper, and these leaves often cling through winter. And in winter they are particularly important for wildlife as they retain their leaves unlike many other British hedges. Beech hedges provide shelter for creatures like birds and hedgehogs. We are very careful here at Moss Wood about how we maintain our hedges as it is important that we look after the species that call the hedgerows home.

Song Thrush

The Song Thrush is a familiar face (and voice!) across Lancashire’s gardens, woodlands, and fields. This medium-sized brown bird is speckled with distinctive dark spots across its creamy underside. Listen for its beautiful, repeating song – a sure sign of spring! Thrushes love snails, and you might spot broken shells near stones where they’ve smashed them open for a tasty feast. Sadly, Song Thrushes are declining and on the RSPCA ‘red list’. However, we provide an oasis of life at Moss Wood where species that would otherwise struggle to survive – especially around farmland like in rural Lancashire – can find a home.

Aphid

Aphids, also known as greenfly or blackfly, are common garden visitors across most of Britain. These tiny insects feed on plant sap, weakening flowers and vegetables. Look for clusters of them under leaves or on new shoots – especially if you are trying to grow your own plants!

But don’t worry! Aphids attract helpful predators such as ladybirds and lacewing larvae. This helps to promote biodiversity around Moss Wood and these pests are kept naturally under control and the plants around the park are kept thriving.

Ladybird

Spot these cheerful beetles as you wander around the Moss Wood Nature Trail! Ladybirds are more than just pretty – they’re amazing pest controllers, munching on garden pests like aphids. Look for our native 7-spot ladybirds with their bright red shells. You might even find the more unusual variant which is black with red spots, rather than the other way around! Watch out for the non-native Harlequin ladybird, which originates from East Asia. It has many colour variations, such as yellow, and usually has far more spots than the native species found in Britain!