Fencerhill Wood

The non-native sycamore is also present and, while seedlings are discouraged to prevent this tree taking over, the large specimens in the centre will remain. The site is well used by foxes, badgers and deer and a wide range of woodland and wetland birds nest in the reserve. The great spotted woodpecker is a regular visitor to the site searching for insects in dead and decaying wood. Common garden birds such as blackbird, robin, great tit and blue tit nest in the wood with the summer visiting chiff-chaff also present. The wet area contains stands of greater reedmace (more commonly known as bulrush) and there is now a pond-dipping platform. Large areas of Himalayan balsam, a non-native plant, which shades out native species are present and can help cause riverbank erosion. Some control of this plant is undertaken in the summer months. The small woodland reserve was acquired when it was handed over to the Trust as part of the mitigation for a housing development.

Reserve details
Trust Website: 
http://www.nwt.org.uk
Size: 
1.40
Short Description: 
This small area of mixed woodland and wetland is situated next to a small tributary of the Ouse Burn, in Whitebridge Park. The woodland contains a mix of tree species including oak, ash, willow and lime.
Smartphone Description: 
A small woodland and wetland reserve on the edge of Whitebridge Park housing estate, this small reserve provides a valuable refuge for wildlife. Badger, roe deer and fox have all been seen, while the trees are used by great spotted woodpecker and treecreeper.
Location
Address: 
In the Whitebridge Park estate, north Gosforth
Town: 
Gosforth
County: 
Newcastle upon Tyne
Grid ref: 
NZ 245 698
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
24/7/365
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Please see downloadable Access Information for the reserve below.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park at the site entrance on Charleswood
Walking information: 
There is a path through the reserve
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
(0191) 284 6884
Reserve email address: 
mail@northwt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve