Borsdane Wood: Flora and Fauna

Borsdane Wood and Rayner Park support a rich variety of woodland plants, wildflowers and fungi, shaped by centuries of natural growth and traditional land management.

From mature broad-leaved trees and shaded woodland rides to damp stream banks and open clearings, these varied habitats create the conditions for an ever-changing mix of seasonal colour and biodiversity throughout the year.

This gallery offers a small glimpse of the flora and fungi found across the site – from well-known woodland flowers to the quieter, often overlooked species that play an essential role in the health of the woodland.

Woodland habitats and seasonal colour

Wildflowers and woodland fungi

Amongst the flora recorded are red campion, lesser celandine, bistort, marsh marigold, wood sorrel, dog’s mercury, hybrid bluebell, hybrid daffodil, pignut, enchanters nightshade, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, ramsons (wild garlic), butterbur, wood anemone, and moschatel.

Regarding wild garlic the leaves, flowers, and stem are all edible, but best consumed before you can smell the garlic in the woods, as this is usually a sign that the plant is going past its best.

Wildlife of Borsdane Wood

Amongst the wild life are red deer, grey squirrels, foxes, moles, frogs, woodmice, various bats (Noctule, Common Pipistrelle and Daubentons), and maybe an otter nearby!

Birdlife of Borsdane Wood

Amongst the recorded bird life over the years there are Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Robin, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Brambling, Bullfinch, Dipper, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Green Sandpiper, Jay, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue tit, Coal tit, Long-Tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Siskin, Magpie, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Starling, Whitethroat, Redwing, Rook, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Willow Warbler, Woodcock, Goldcrest, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Raven, Merlin, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.