Things to see and do at Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood

A child looks through yellow binoculars directly at the camera with a big smile on his face. — Wildlife spotting at Danbury Commons | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

The Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood offer a diverse natural environment in which wildlife can live and flourish. The rangers work all year round to manage this land and encourage mammals, birds, reptiles and other animals to stay or return.

Wildlife at Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood

Nightingales

These broad-tailed brown birds are slightly larger than robins and are known for their song: a fast succession of high, low and rich notes that few other species can match.

These tuneful creatures have once again made their long journey from West Africa back to their breeding grounds. It is especially encouraging to hear them using the coppice in Blakes Wood, which bodes well for the future as more and more of the recently coppiced areas become suitable habitat for them.

A close up of a ranger's cupped hands holding a torpid dormouse at Killerton, Devon — Ranger holding a dormouse during welfare checks at Danbury Commons | © National Trust Images / Emma Jones

Dormice

These quiet, sleepy and elusive characters make the commons their home. You may never see them but it is always thrilling to know that this rare and vulnerable species is still present at Danbury, and may be traversing the branches above your head or simply curled up asleep hibernating.

Other regular visitors

Adders have also been making an appearance in their usual spots, and where you find adders you often find slow-worms too. Lizards are in evidence but have only been spotted so far this year by the swish of a tail.