2011 Streak Day 136: Walk - 4.25miles, Time 1hr 20min, Weather - cloudy (but with some blue), moderate chill
Blackbird, thrush, blue tit, chaffinch are birds who provide the soundscape of the countryside. All are woodland birds and their song is an important part of the feeling of peace you can feel when walking through woods.
Ashridge is a ancient mixed wood that has a variety of trees and birds. It is very busy with many visitors but the further you get from the car park the emptier it becomes until you can have moments when you feel you are totally alone in a landscape that reaches back through the centuries and hear nothing but the birds. At such times you can onlystop, be still, listen and breath.
it is good for the soul.
Ashridge is National Trust land and their philosophy of woodland management fully embraces the idea habitat management, with the woods being seen as an ecological resources as well as a visitor attraction.
The most obvious sign of this is letting fallen or cut trees lay to gently rot. They provide food and habitat for insects and therefore, in turn, larger animals.
The clearing out of trees is also a feature. We have got used to the idea of woods being dark places but to encourage wildlife and plant diversity this should not be the case. In Ashridge space is cleared so that light can be seen.
There is a small article about the Ashridge forestry year here
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