Leasam Heronry Wood

Also within

East Sussex County High Weald Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Area, 2.2 ha. 5.2 ac. Description A small, not long established woodland which contains a nationally important heronry (heron). Birds first began to establish themselves here in 1935 and have been breeding since 1940, showing a distinct preference for ash trees to nest in. The numbers of heron regularly reach fifty pairs which represents one percent of the total British breeding population. Although not ancient the woodland contains an interesting diversity of plants. Oak Quercus robur, ash Fraxinus excelsior, alder Alnus glutinosa, hazel Corylus avellana and hornbeam Carpinus betulus form the main tree canopy with holly Ilex aquifolium forming the shrub layer beneath. The ground flora is rather poor and dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus, dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis and nettles Urtica dioica although the locally rare greater chickweed Stellaria neglecta has been recorded from here.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.