SUNNYHURST Woods has thrived as a natural habitat. It has done so well that 96 species of plants and flowers were unveiled by TV botanist, Professor David Bellamy in the late 1990s.

The wood contains 7,000 trees and features seven miles of walks.

It also contains nearly 100 species of flowers and plants including wood anemones.

Animals co-habiting in the woods include field mice, grey squirrels, hedgehogs and three roe deer. Water voles existed in the woods until their extinction two years ago.

Wood peckers, herons, tawny owls and wood warblers are common in the area. The woods is regarded as an excellent breeding ground for birds by nature experts.

A variety of trees are on the site, varying from oak and ash to elders.

The woods contain an area of rare wet woodland -- a government priority habitat -- featuring rare marsh marigold and bittercress.

Sunnyhurst Brook, which runs the length of the woods, is known among the birdwatching community as an excellent place to spot kingfisher, grey wagtail, dipper and heron. In the moorland areas, lucky listeners might hear a cuckoo.

Spring flowers which can be spotted in the wood at this time of year include the yellow celandine, marsh marigold and wood anemone (also known as wind flower).

Butterbur can also be seen by the stream and each May bluebells carpet the woodland floor.