Habitat type: Semi-natural ancient woodland
Size of reserve:16 hectares / 40 acres
OS map number:104
Grid reference:SW 772 376 (main entrance)
Best time to visit: All year
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Directions
The entrance is immediately left after the turning signed to Mylor, Flushing and Restronguet from the A39 in Perranarworthal, 3 miles (5 km) north of Penryn.
Access
Limited parking is available. A circular walk taking 20 to 30 minutes is over easy terrain but the ground can be wet and muddy. The track leading to the reserve is not a public right of way, so please take care when crossing this land.
Characteristic wildlife of this reserve
Gnarled, twisted stems of sessile oak are a feature. The stems grow in circular groups from a common base; the stool. This indicates that, in the past, the self-renewing power of these trees was put to use in coppicing; the repeated cutting of sections of the woodland at intervals to harvest the timber. The cut oak stumps then regrow to produce more shoots from the stools, a sustainable method of timber harvesting. The remnants of charcoal burning platforms indicate one use to which the harvested timber was put.
The great spotted woodpecker has a bold, pied plumage, but is likely to be heard before being seen, drumming to attract a mate or from its loud ‘chick’ alarm call. It feeds on insects in warm weather or fruit and seeds during colder months, often wedging nuts or pinecones in the angle of a branch before hammering them open using its strong bill.
An unmistakable fungus! The stinkhorn grows here between May and November. Initially resembling soft white balls, a slender, phallus-like stalk appears with an oval head covered in a smelly secretion to attract flies. The common stinkhorn has an evil-smelling green head, while the dog stinkhorn, slightly less obnoxious, has a browner coloured tip.
Other information
Early references to Devichoys Wood date back to 1652. It was called Kilcoys, Thevichoys or Devichoys. All include the Cornish 'cos' or 'woodland'.
