East Blean Wood

Acquisition of 240 acres of primary deciduous woodland in the Blean Woods complex north of Canterbury. This nature reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a National Nature Reserve. It is the largest ancient semi-natural woodland block surviving in England. The site has ancient semi-natural wood habitat, bluebells, heather, spurge laurel and common spotted orchids thrive in this reserve. Common cow-wheat is also present, the food plant for the rare heath fritillary butterfly caterpillar, a globally threatened and declining species that occurs in this wood. The site also attracts warblers, woodpeckers, nuthatches and tree creepers.