The Seek - Braunston-in-Rutland

Site Description

The Seek is new native woodland on edge of Braunstone-in-Rutland, 1 miles south-west of Oakham and Rutland Water with panoramic views over surrounding countryside. Prior to planting the area was arable land.

In design stages, local school children were invited to put forward ideas for the design and creation of woodland. National Tree Week in 1992, 400 local school children planted trees and shrubs on the site.

The Rutland Natural History Society have been involved in monitoring the development of the woodland since the beginning and have recorded 20 species of butterfly, 95 species of moth and 64 species of bird to date (04/01)

The Seek accessible situated on the edge of the village of Braunston-in-Rutland and has good parking facilities in the lay-by adjacent to the main entrance. Locals named the woodland, The Seek because it is the old local name for a 'field running down to a stream' and this aptly fits the site, which occupies a prominent south easterly aspect. 7,500 native broadleaved trees and shrubs where planted in 1992-94 (See compartment description for full details of tree species). The first phase of planting was in the winter of 1992-93, with the first tree being planted by the late Geoff Hamilton. The following winter, Rutland Natural History Society members, children, villagers and friends planted a further 2000 oak, ash and hazel saplings.

A 1.4 hectare area of grassland has been left unplanted at the top of the site, this was initially left as an open meadow area. Floristic value of this area is improving although ragwort will require control.