Brookes Reserve nature reserve

North east of Braintree

Map Ref:  TL 808 268 
Public Transport - There is an hourly bus service between Halstead and Braintree.
Dogs allowed if under effective control.

Directions
Between Stisted and Greenstead Green north east of Braintree; from Greenstead Green the reserve is 2km down on the right and from Stisted 3km down on the left just past Tumblers Green. 

This 60 acre site comprises over 40 acres of ancient woodland, the rest being former arable fields, part of which have been planted up with native trees.   The reserve is owned by the Coda Wildlife Trust and managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.   

Designation:
Site of Special Scientific Interest (part)

What to look for:
The woods lie on a chalky boulder clay plateau and contain several woodland trees including Ash, Maple, Oak, Hornbeam, Birch and Lime.  There are also several Wild Service trees, an uncommon tree, which used to be known as the Chequer tree.  Its leaves resemble those of the Maple and in the spring it bears white flowers while in the autumn its leaves turn a red/copper colour.

In spring you can enjoy the sounds of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Nightingales; Whitethroats can also be heard in the field hedges. Resident birds include Goldcrest, Tree-creeper, Bullfinch, Nuthatch and the tit family.
There is a beautiful array of Primroses and Violets in the spring and a small area of Woodruff, some Yellow Archangel, Cuckoo flower and Bugle.  In summer Birds-foot Trefoil, Common Fleabane and Common Centaury can be found in the meadows together with many others.

A range of butterflies flourish on the resesrve including Speckled Wood and Ringlet.  The Purple Hairstreak is present but well camouflaged , sitting on the leaves of Oak or Ash, and Small Heath and Skippers dart in and out of the long grass.    
There are several ponds on the reserve; the smaller ones tend to dry up during hot summers but the larger ones are home to Common Frog, Smooth Newt and Great-crested Newts during the breeding season. 

Access
Accessible at all times and there is a network of historic green lanes, one a bridleway, that cross the woods.  Please keep dogs on a lead and do not let children play near ponds as they can be dangerous.  Waterproof footwear is essential in wet weather.  

Did you know?
The woods are known locally as Brook's Woods and the reserve is named after Thomas Brookes, the 18th century owner.