A woodland walk on a cold, misty day, and a hot meal. I am not sure eating a massive chicken madras with chilli noodles was the right thing to do after this walk, but at least it allowed me to test the Buddrew heated lunch box in colder temperatures.
Opened by Sir David Attenborough in September 1986, Farningham Woods Nature Reserve sits atop a hill just to the north of Farningham village, and commands views over the Kent countryside all the way to Dartford to the north and Sevenoaks to the south.
A Site of Special Scientific Interest, Farningham Woods is one of the most valuable areas of woodland in Kent. A healthy 168 acres in size, it is home to the Small-Leaved Lime, a rare tree which is only found on one other site in Kent, and several other unusual plants, including the largest British colony of the nationally rare Deptford Pink. The unusual remoteness and peaceful nature of the woods means that it is a great place for quiet walks, and as such has quickly become a local favourite in addition to being a distinctive local landmark.
The Wood in Peril
In 2015 the Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp (OCGW: Dryocosmus kuriphilus) was discovered in the Woods, this was the first recorded incidence in the United Kingdom. OCGW is an insect pest which stimulates gall production on the leaves and buds of sweet chestnut trees, which constitute a very high proportion of the Woods. In a desperate attempt to try and prevent the spread across the country, The Forestry Commission sadly ordered an immediate and huge acceleration in the coppice management of the Woods during the winter of 2015/2016. This saw the removal of 60 acres of timber, about 35% of the Wood's 168 acres. However, surveys in the spring of 2016 identified OCGW galls at several further sites across London and South-East England, which meant that it was no longer practical to contain the pest in specific areas. For the long term, the potential to introduce a parasitic organism probably another tiny insect which preys on OCGW which could minimise its population and impact is being considered.
SOUND EFFECTS & VIDEO BACKING SOUNDTRACKS:
From January 2025, all sound effects and music soundtracks in my videos are of my own creation and are owned by me. (David Wilson Out and About)
