Oak/birch woodland: Bow Wood
Characteristic bird species of oak/birch woodlands include greater spotted, lesser spotted and green woodpeckers, redstarts, pied flycatchers, wood warblers and song thrushes; the latter being a key biodiversity species. Large flocks of brambling also congregate in these woodlands during the winter.
Hoverflies, wasps, flies and beetles such as the leaf beetle thrive on leaf litter as well as living and dead wood within these woodlands, whilst lichens are abundant and bat species such as the pipistrelle roost within cracks and holes in the trees.
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A number of butterfly species also frequent these woodlands, living and breeding on the woodlands plant species. These include the holly blue, ringlet, comma and purple hairstreak.
Upland oak/birch woods are a restricted but important habitat in the Peak. Many such areas of woodland within the Derwent Valley are classed as locally important Wildlife Sites. They are also recognised as a key local Biodiversity Action Plan habitat. The potential to extend this habitat by encouraging woodland development in former quarries in and around the Derwent Valley and elsewhere is therefore of interest in terms of the biodiversity of the Peak District.
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