Butterflies such as silver- How to find us washed fritillary and The reserve is one mile west of Peasmarsh & brimstone thrive here along access is from Bixley Lane, a small unsurfaced the rides and footpaths. lane which joins the A286. There are a couple of Flatropers Increased light levels also lay-bys in which to park in the lane. For public benefit spring wild flowers transport please visit www.traveline.org.uk or ring including bluebell, wood silver-washed Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Wood anemone and marsh violet. fritillary Nature Reserve A268 is Ancient Semi-Natural A28 Woodland, meaning this area has been wooded Northiam for over 400 years. This wood is also part of a much larger wooded area and an important link Four Oaks B2088 for wildlife to the wider countryside. B2088 A268 Walking on the nature reserve Beckley Peasmarsh B2185 Flatropers Wood is mainly gentle terrain, with Bixley Lane Flatropers unsurfaced footpaths and several wooden bridges. Wood Rye

Sussex Wildlife Trust has been working with pupils from Peasmarsh Church of England Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading Primary School. Here are some of the children’s wildlife charity. Our aim is to help people enjoy, impressions of Flatropers Wood: understand and take action to conserve the ‘I think this wood is very interesting and a great place wildlife and landscape of Sussex. to explore’. Tom aged 9 Take action by volunteering ‘There are huge trees some have fallen down, they needs volunteers. Everyone are covered in moss, and there are lots of plants’. welcome – no experience necessary. Please Miles aged 9 contact the Volunteer Administrator 01273 497562. ‘It has lots of trees and birds; the trees are tall with long branches. Sussex Wildlife Trust, , I feel happy, I enjoy it here it is , . BN5 9SD fun, you could stay here all day’. 01273 492630 Jessica aged 10 www.sussexwt.org.uk WildCall, the wildlife information service: 01273 494777

Thank you to the staff and Registered Charity No: 207005 P a u l M r t e n pupils at Peasmarsh Church of England Primary School for their Taking Care of Sussex bluebell involvement with Flatropers Wood. Illustrations and map by John Davis 03/2010 Flatropers Wood Nature Reserve

0 200 Sometimes wild boar hoof prints are found at the muddy edges metres of streams. The animals have escaped from nearby farms and footpath live wild in parts of . Wild boar are secretive and rarely seen in the day. Private wild boar

wild boar hoof prints green tiger beetle Bixley Lane Green tiger beetle hunts insects in the sand and heather. Their siskin larvae lead a quiet life hiding in bore-holes in the sand, with just their huge mandibles protruding.

Small birds such as long-tailed tit, goldcrest powerline Any passing ants are dragged and siskin, work as a mixed flock in the winter, into the holes and devoured. calling and trilling to each other as they search for seeds and hibernating insects.

Many woodland plants flower in spring before Large nests of pine needles are the leaf canopy casts made by wood ants, and columns deep shade. In April and of these insects travel along the May the woodland floor forest floor and up tree trunks. Ants is a carpet of bluebells bite ferociously and can spray acid wood anemone and wood anemones. on intruders such as badgers. wood ant nest