Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The largest individual block of woodland is Oak Hill Wood. This woodland has grown up over previously cleared ground and contains numerous mature trees including hornbeam, horse chestnut, yew, beech, sweet chestnut, oak and ash. Amongst the understorey species are holly, elder and cherry laurel. Connected to Oak Hill Wood by wide avenues of common lime, poplar and yew is a smaller area of woodland and scrub in the northwest corner of the site. It is dominated by sycamore with an understorey in which holly is abundant and accompanied by a small number of species including hawthorn, elder, cherry laurel and bramble. To the south are the grounds of Oak Hill House, mostly composed of sycamore and oak woodland. To the northeast is another large house with wooded grounds and a high density of mature trees. This connects to the private wooded area beside Firecrest Drive, which is chiefly composed of sycamore, oak, yew and lime. Adjacent to Frognal Rise and Oak Hill Way are the well-used Branch Hill Allotments. A good number of birds visit the site including jay, great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl, nuthatch, goldcrest, long-tailed tit and kestrel.

Facilities

Car parking