The Firs Nature Reserve
The Firs is an atmospheric area of woodland that lies in the heart of what was the Royal Forest of Braydon. The wood is owned by Hills of Swindon Ltd., and in 1991 the Company entered into an agreement with the Trust whereby the Trust manages the wood. It was opened to the public in 1992.
The nature trail (which can be very muddy after wet weather) follows a pleasant circular walk, taking about half an hour. The trail goes past three ancient Oaks (Quercus robur) on the western boundary of the wood, which at around 200 years old, are believed to be the oldest trees in the wood.
Wildlife
In spring, the flowering of Wood Anemones (Anemone nemorosa), Primroses (Primula vulgaris) and Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) heralds the coming of warmer weather. Throughout the wood Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) can frequently be seen climbing up young trees and shrubs, especially Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Hazel (Corylus avellana).
The Firs is situated on Oxford Clay, known locally as Minety clay, and the ground remains waterlogged for much of the year. These damp conditions, especially where a heavy shade is cast, favour the growth of mosses and ferns. Male-fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) and Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata) can frequently be seen.
Dead wood is also an important feature of the ecology here, and birch stumps are especially important not only for mosses, but also for bracket fungi – so named because of the way their fruiting bodies grow. Jew’s Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) and King Alfred’s Cakes (Daldinia concentrica) are two other colourfully named fungi that you may see growing on Elder (Sambucus nigra) bushes and Ash trees. Small puffball fungi can be found on the ground, especially in autumn.
The insects and other invertebrates living on dead and rotting wood are also an important food source for the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) which frequent The Firs. Other birds you may see and hear include a variety of tits as well as Nuthatches (Sitta europaea), whose strident calls can often be heard in late winter and early spring.
A number of woodland plants have gradually colonised from Webb’s Wood which once adjoined The Firs and is known to be an old woodland site. These plants include Wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) and the uncommon Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). A rare tree, the Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) also grows in The Firs though its occurrence is sparse except on the southern boundary bank to the west of the entrance.
History and management
Until the beginning of the last century The Firs was open fields. Evidence of this survives within the wood which is divided into three compartments by old hedge banks. The site doesn’t appear on any maps as woodland until the mid-1800’s, and was planted sometime after this date, presumably with conifers. These trees were felled by the Company and used at its sawmills in Purton during the First World War. In the 1920’s the Company replanted the site with Oak and Ash which are now the principal canopy trees.
Recent management has involved thinning of mature trees in the western section of the wood, as well as two areas of clear felling and replanting. Here, the glades created will have warm sheltered spots that will be attractive to many insects. The wildlife benefits that will follow the reintroduction of woodland management at The Firs will ensure its future as an important part of the local landscape.
Other information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: April to May for woodland birds, autumn for fungi.
Habitat: Woodland
Specialties of the reserve: Small-leaved Lime, Midland Hawthorn
Location: from Wootton Bassett, head along the B4042 towards Brinkworth. Take first right after motorway underpass. After 1.25 miles take the first turning left sign-posted to Brinkworth (Wood Lane). The Firs can be found on your right about 0.5 miles at grid reference SU047864. Look out for kissing gate and information board. Space for two cars in front of the gate.
