Monday 12th February 2024 9.45 to 11.00 a.m.
6 weeks into 2024 and, so far, the weather has chosen to be either super chilly or damp and overcast, with just the occasional day of sunshine to break the gloom. Today may be mild but it remains cloudy.
I enter the woods at the corner of Church Town and Backwell Hill. The path cuts in to the right of the restored wall and is initially steep and slippery. But the effort is worth it as the path soon begins to level out, turning right to head down towards the cabin or turning left along the Fern Way. 
The Fern Way is one of the original paths created by BET volunteers through Badgers Wood and is (in my opinion) one of the prettiest. Fringed either side with ferns of all types, rotting wood (for those, like me, who love a bit of rottenness), a good amount of bramble cover, lichen and fungi it always reminds me of a tropical rain forest. In fact I suspect it is one! So rich is it that ferns even grow out of trees.
With the overcast conditions keeping sound close to the ground, bird song resonates around the wood. As I join the Fern Way I can hear the rasp of a Greenfinch, the song of two Robins, a good number of Blue Tits, a Great Tit and the chunter and croak of a Raven overhead. Even though I am walking quietly, startled Wood Pigeons batter their way out of the nearby trees.
The path winds its way up through the middle of Badgers Wood past some incredibly old, knarly and beautiful trees…a couple of which have keeled over revealing a wonderful maze of roots for animals to hide or forage in. Two thirds of the way up I am pleased to hear the tap tap tap of the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
It is rare to spend time in these woods without catching the short, sharp chip of this rather shy bird and the drumming is a nice reminder that spring is on the way. Great Spotted Woodpeckers, both male and female, drum on trees for communication. I used to think they were busy making holes for residential purposes but they are actually signalling for a mate or to mark out their territory. And we appear to have several busy pairs residing in the woods.
As I approach the top of the Fern Way I pass the stunning Limestone Pavement. The Pavement is a whole story in itself and is definitely worth a visit. But my ears are caught by the song of Nuthatch high up in the canopy and then sounds of various bird alarm calls. Definitely Blackbird and Robin and then, the loudest of all, the Wren. They buzz and chatter in annoyance – possibly at my presence but more likely at a passing predator or a challenge to their established territory.
The path comes up to the quarry and rain begins to fall quite heavily. Time to cover up and head for home.