List of Species

Common Name

Azure Damselfly

Black Darter

Black-tailed Skimmer

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Broad-bodied Chaser

Brown Hawker

Common Blue Damselfly

Common Darter

Common Hawker

Emerald Damselfly

Emperor Dragonfly

Four-spotted Chaser

Large Red Damselfly

Migrant Hawker

Southern Hawker

Owner: Portland Estates, managed by the Forestry Commission

Habitat: Arguably the finest woodland in North East Derbyshire, Whitwell Wood covers an area of approximately 420 acres atop a magnesium limestone outcrop.  Predominantly a broad leafed woodland containing Ash, Oak, Beech, Hazel and Sycamore to name but a few of the common species, and also some sections of Scots and Corsican Pine.  The wood is managed by the Forestry Commission with input from Whitwell Wood Natural History Group for wildlife, timber & public recreation.  There are long, wide drives cut through the wood, several coppice areas and two small nature ponds within the wood and several more around the periphery. The wood also has numerous sights of archeological interest and a limestone gorge to the rear of the wood where you may stumble across the locally famous Ginny Spring (ideal for a refreshing drink on hot days).

Access: Although there are no public rights of way through the wood, the Forestry Commission has made provision for several waymarked walks for public access.  Entrance to the wood is via the main gate only which is situated 50 yards from the council layby off the A619 at Grid Ref SK525770.  Access is for walkers only, cycling and horse riding is not permitted.  As the wood is home to several nationally rare species of flora and ground nesting birds, the public are requested not to venture from the main pathways at anytime.

Any groups or individuals wishing to arrange a visit should contact the Forestry Commission’s Local Office at Sherwood Forest Pines on tel 01623 822 447 who will arrange for a tour by one of the Natural History Group Wardens.

Specialties:  As the pond only has a few ponds don’t expect to see large numbers of damsels and dragonflies. Throughout the summer though you can expect to see a good variety and after only 2 years recording at the site 14 species have been identified with the expectation that this figure could rise over the next few years given some improvements to the existing habitats, creation of new ones and the possibility of new species finding the site.  That said, the wood has a habit of turning up something unexpected or special such as a Black Darter in 2002 and a Common Hawker in 2003, both of which are usually associated with upland areas to the west of the county.  Whitwell is a good site to see Southern and Migrant Hawkers, the latter of which can be seen in good numbers from late June through until October hunting along the woodland rides.

The wood has history of high counts of butterfly in the summer, with good numbers of Speckled Wood, Ringlets and Brimstones, the wood is also home to Purple Hairstreaks. August 2003 saw the woods first moth trapping event for 10 years and the results were impressive with Barred Hook-Tip, Small Mottled Willow and Straw Dots being found which were almost cast into the shadows by the capture of a Convolvulus Hawk Moth - the first Derbyshire record for 3 years.

And as for flora - how thick is your note book? Forgetting the usual suspects, some of its specialties include Birdsnest and Fly from the 8 Orchid Species and also Common Butterwort, Grass of Parnasus and Common Gromwell.  In the past 3 Helleborine species have also been recorded.

For the Twitchers out there, all the usual woodland species with plenty of Woodcock to be seen before dusk, Woodpeckers, Tawny Owls and Warblers.

The last four years have also seen the welcome return of a handful Roe Deer which keep out of public view most of the time but keep your eyes pealed for the tracks along the muddy pathways.

Please note that collection or capture of any flora and fauna is strictly restricted and should only be carried out with prior consent of the Forestry Commission.

Grub Stop:  For those of you with a yearning to become a trucker there is the 24hr café in the council lay-bye that boarders the wood off the A619 - definitely Blue Tailed Damsel class.  Moving up to Common Darter class and there’s the Half Moon pub less than a mile down the road towards Worksop.  And , for the lovers of real ale and fine food who wish to dine in Golden-Ringed Hawker class, the Elm Tree Inn at Elmton is only 10 minutes away by car.