INVERTEBRATES
More than 200 different invertebrates have been recorded from Woolley Wood. Of these, at least 100 are butterflies and moths such as Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Small White and Comma.

Scale insects, which live on the bark of Sycamore, are particularly noticeable in parts of the wood. These cling to the twigs and derive their name from their waxy or horny scales.

Other invertebrates recorded from the wood have included Soldier Beetle, Buff-tailed Bumble-bee and Seven-spot Lady bird. A number of the invertebrates recorded in the woodland are ancient woodland indicators.

BIRDS

Yew and Wild Cherry are both important sources of food for birds.

Woolley Wood supports a rich variety of birds and these have been extensively studied. The relatively inaccessible 'ravine' area and the steeply sloping upper parts of the wood are of particularly high value to birds, partly because parts of the adjacent Concord Park provide a valuable feeding site for both birds nesting in the wood and migrant species.

Birds breeding in the woodland include Sparrowhawk, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Long- tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay and Greenfinch. At least one pair of Hawfinches is known to have nested in the wood in the past. Another species thought to breed in the woodland is the elusive, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and in March, the ''kee kee'' call of this species may be heard echoing through the trees.

Summer visitors, many of which probably nest in the wood include Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher. Other probable breeding species include Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, and the now relatively scarce, Song Thrush.

In winter, especially if there is a good crop of Yew berries and beechmast, Woolley Wood attracts large numbers of Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings. A small area towards the south-eastern end of the site is an important autumn/winter feeding ground for birds, especially Hawfinch. Other winter visitors include abundant Brambling, Greenfinch, Siskin, Waxwing, parties of Goldcrest, Firecrest and Goldfinch. In winter, tit numbers also increase.

Other bird species recorded in Woolley Wood, but not listed above, include Kestrel, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Wood Warbler, House Sparrow, Willow Tit, Moorhen, Woodcock, Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch and Treecreeper.

MAMMALS
Mammals recorded in the wood include Mole, Grey Squirrel, Hedgehog, Fox, Rabbit, Weasel and various species of Shrew. Bat species associated with the wood have included Pipistrelle, Noctule and Leislers bats.

More general information on the birds and animals of the Heritage Woodlands is available elsewhere on this website.