A catch-up with Chiltern Rangers

If you go down to the woods today…

Deangarden Wood is a site that’s been in the news, locally at least, as it went under the hammer in December 2025. After many decades in the Carrington Estate it has been purchased by a new owner. The new owner lives locally and is keen to be a responsible custodian of the site welcoming continued use and enjoyment of the woods by the local community.  We will be working with them and continue to look after the site in the coming weeks, months and beyond.

What we’ve been up to

In autumn and winter 2025 we have been undertaking a series of extra tasks as part of an extension to the existing management plan. This has been funded by Berkeley Homes as part of their agreement with the local Authority to build out the remaining homes at Abbey Barn Park.We have done some additional tree safety work - felling mostly Ash which has ash die back disease.

We have installed Tawny Owl boxes and a Kestrel Box on a Beech overlooking the old ski slope - fingers crossed it has new residents very soon.  Bat & bird boxes of various types have also gone up thanks mostly to Reece at Dickinson’s Tree Services.The main work has been to open up the main ride down the valley. Again Reece and his team plus some of our Rangers have felled a number of trees. The majority were dead or dying Ash many of which were infected with Honey Fungus too.

Image by Jamie Ford

It’s all about the trees

A couple of trees have been monolithed to retain valuable standing deadwood where safe to do so.These will become high rise dead wood habitat so valuable for Woodpeckers, bats, Nuthatch, beetles and more.  The ride has had lots of Hazel coppiced and the stools protected from deer. 

We have planted approximately 100 trees to diversify the understorey for wildlife.   These include Spindle, Wayfaring, Hazel, Wych Elm, Field Maple and Hawthorn have all gone in.  Lime and Hornbeam have also been planted to become standards of the future.

Images by Jamie Ford

A helping hand for wildlife

In addition to all of the bird and bat boxes, deadhedges have been created and log pile houses built - perfect not only for the little mouse to live in but also for Wrens to skulk around and maybe nest in later in the spring.

Would you like to help?

There’s still more to do over the coming months and beyond please sign up and give us a hand. We know time is precious but even an hour makes all the difference and will be much appreciated. 

Click below to find out more about volunteering with Chiltern Rangers.