Stanmore Common Nature Trail
Long trail post 7: Here we turn left by another fine mature beech, though not as old as the one we saw at post 4. From here to post 10 the path winds between shallow pits where gravel was dug for roads before the days of tarmac.

Along this section listen for woodland birds. Family flocks of long tailed tits are often seen here giving their scolding buzzy call interspersed with a high pitched sharp tzee, tzee tzee. This bird is unique in Britain in that the young from the previous brood can stay to help with the next one. Although called a long tailed tit it has been separated from the rest of the tit family and been put into the american bush tit family. This is because unlike all other tits in the world it builds a nest instead of using a tree hole. Its habit of family support is again a bush tit trait.

To description for long trail post 8

More on some of the birds you are likely to see or hear on the Common

More on the three species of deer on the Common and their tracks

Click here to learn more about the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum including guided walks and conservation workdays.