Hawkmoth Wood

Hawkmoth Wood is a beautiful mixed woodland, at the sunny southern edge of a larger forest, known as Brafferton Spring, there are swathes of bluebells and the wood sits beside a stream.  The wood is very private.

This well-balanced and appealing wood, with a varied age structure has been carefully managed to benefit wildlife and the rewards are clear to see. It is all classed as Ancient Replanted Woodland (or PAWS) The current owner has been recording wildlife data here for nearly a decade, including some rare and protected species and an absolutely incredible 550+ species of moth! This land would really suit nature-lovers, conservationists and rewilders who would cherish the tranquillity and diversity of this special place.

The wood, set on largely level ground, is comprised of three distinct character areas, Sun Beck Wood in the east, Chaulk Wood in the middle and Hawkmoth Wood in the west. They are collectively called Hawkmoth Wood. 

The eastern part is filled predominantly with tall mature softwoods and hardwood trees and an attractive understorey of hazel coppice and bluebells. Sun Beck, (about 6 feet wide and a foot deep) forms the southern boundary of the wood and runs all year round. A well-maintained grass track runs along the length of the beck allowing access for the Independent Drainage Board who visit once every few years to manage the watercourse and clear any blockages. Some of the mature trees in this area include pine, spruce, oak, birch, poplar and some ash. As well as bluebells, plants that thrive at ground level are typical of an old forest; ferns, honeysuckle, blackberry and wood sorrel all enjoy the dappled shade of the woodland floor.

Many bird, bat and other mammal boxes have been installed, and this is the quietest part of the wood with least activity. The view out of the wood, across beck, is over grazing land and hedgerows: a very pastoral scene, with lambs in the spring, in a peaceful corner of Yorkshire.

In the central area, Chaulk Wood is again a mixed woodland, the majority of the softwood trees have now been removed to favour the mature oaks and other native hardwoods and the work has been carried out very sensitively. Path routes wind sinuously around the place revealing more treasures at each turn including a thriving wildlife pond.  A trail camera focussed on a tree trunk, set as a perch across the pool, has revealed tawny owl, kingfisher, buzzard, heron and Mandarin Duck coming to monitor the waters.

Close to the centre of the wood, is the hub of woodland operations including a lockable mobile site cabin which could be used as a tool store, and a separate toilet shed.  A short distance from this is a wheel-mounted bird hide, positioned with a view over feeders.  All three structures are included in the sale.

The western part of the wood is varied and has recently had some continuous cover forestry management carried out.  This type of work aims to selectively fell certain trees whilst maintaining some canopy cover from the more desirable trees.  This has allowed in lots of sunlight to encourage regeneration of coppice and native broadleaved trees.  Chiffchaff, willow warbler and woodcock really thrive in this habitat.  The work has been supplemented by further tree planting of osier willow, alder, alder buckthorn, oak, sweet chestnut, cherry and hazel.

Near the north-western boundary, a beekeeper keeps several bee hives.  When visiting, please give these a wide berth so as not to disturb the bees.  There are several alternative routes you can take.  These will be relocated before Summer 2025.

A few years ago, the owner opened up some rainwater ditches within this part of the wood to create wider swales, with shallow sides.  These help to store rainwater when there is wet weather and are fantastic for wildlife, usually the haunt of dragonflies and other invertebrates during the summer months.  Sun Beck flows along part of the southern boundary here and one of many benches is situated beside it, perfect to take in the serenity of the surroundings and perhaps listen to buzzards calling overhead or the percussive hammering of woodpeckers as they try to attract a mate.

Hawkmoth Wood has woodland to three sides and is easily reached by vehicle along a good track. There are three ride-stop entrances, one at the eastern entrance to the Sun-Beck ride, halfway along the northern boundary, with the benefit of a useful track leading right into the heart of the wood and another, also on the northern boundary but adjacent to the drainage dike which flows to Sun Beck (included in the ownership) in the western part of Hawkmoth Wood.  A grass track runs along the length of the drain and there is a right of access along this.

The offering really is an ideal opportunity for a new ecologically-minded owner to continue the great work that has been done to make this a fabulous resource for wildlife, as well as the people that come to enjoy wildlife watching. There is scope to undertake conservation projects that benefit health and wellbeing, such as encouraging further coppice growth as this method of woodland management is so beneficial to wildlife and can provide an excellent supply of round-wood poles and firewood for home-use. Water-features could be maintained or expanded, further tree planting could be carried out or you could simply sit and absorb what surrounds you, with a pair of binoculars and a cuppa.  The major work has all been done and this gem of a woodland is ready to be enjoyed!

Local area and history: The local village of Brafferton was originally named after the broad ford over the River Swale, it has been documented since the Domesday Book. Victorian records cite Brafferton Spring as ‘a noted fox covert’. The word ‘spring’ has been used in Yorkshire to mean an area of coppice and it is likely that, rather than being an indication of local water features, the woods were the coppice for the village of Brafferton, supplying fencing, building and firewood materials.

Boundaries: The external boundaries are marked with mauve paint markings on trees.  A stone track borders the east and north boundaries, a drainage dike runs along the western boundary (inside the wood) and Sun Beck runs along (outside) the southern boundary.

Access: Vehicle access is via a shared locked gate. Parking is possible within the woodland.  There are no public rights of way in the wood.

Covenant: There is a covenant on the wood designed to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of this and adjoining woodlands, click HERE to read and download.

Sporting Rights: The sporting rights are included in the sale.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact Liz & Dan Watson on 07970 116 515 or email us at [email protected] with your details.