Spring 2022

OUT & ABOUT
Angley
Woods
TO FLISHINGHURST
SPRATSBOURNE
A
Walker has drawn this
diagram showing the larger
paths of Angley Woods to
help anyone who is not
familiar with its geography.
As Angley is a working forest contractors
fell different areas of mature timber so the
paths can come and go. The main circular
track (about 2 miles / 3.3Kms and shown
in red) however is maintained to link these
areas and provide extraction routes for
the timber vehicles. This can provide an
easy walk for the newcomer to the woods
and provide a basis from which to explore
the woods more widely. The public are
welcome to use these privately owned
woods for their recreation, obviously with
due reference to the Country Code.
TO
GOUDHURST
GLASSENBURY ROAD
HIGH WEALD TRAIL
ELECTRICITY
SUB STATION
HUGGINS HALL
TURNDEN ROAD
SCHOOL
A229 ANGLEY ROAD
NEW ROAD
RUGBY
CLUB
Save our Swifts
Surveys in Cranbrook have revealed a
dwindling population of swifts. The UK
has seen a 53 per cent decline since the
1990s; joining sparrows and starlings
on the “red-list” according to the British
Trust for Ornithology.
Edward Mayer of swift-conservation.
org gave a talk at the Vestry Hall
aimed at encouraging interest in these
spectacular birds among local people.
He explained the reasons for their
decline: climate change, the demise in
insect populations and the lack of nest
sites. However, he said, “Despite swift
numbers plummeting, they’re a bird we
can help. We can adapt our houses and
by welcoming swifts, educate people
around us.”
These iconic summer visitors make
the 6,000-mile journey from Africa,
where they over-winter, to reach our
shores in early May. Here they nest and
raise a family before flying south again
in early August. It’s only when nesting
that these incredible birds land, the
remaining nine months are spent on the
wing: eating, sleeping and breeding.
Swifts are loyal to their traditional
nest sites but modern homes are well
insulated and older houses are being
renovated with holes and gaps sealed,
leaving these birds homeless. Cheryl
Mason of High Weald Swifts said: “The
good news is that swifts will adopt
specially designed nest boxes and by
providing them we can start to stabilise
their numbers.”
Celebrate swifts and create a home for
them to come back to each year. Better
still, why not buy a box as a present?
Need advice? Email: highwealdswifts@
gmail.com
26 The Cake • Spring 2023