History
Birklands, which is an old Viking word meaning 'birch land', was first mentioned in documents in 1251 and is likely to be at least one thousand years old. It was part of the vast Royal Forest of Sherwood that covered over 100,000 acres of the county. The wood remained the property of the Crown for nearly 600 years and was used as a source of timber, grazing land and an exclusive hunting ground rich with wild deer for successive kings and queens of England. By the 19th Century, the wood had passed to the Pierrepont family at Thoresby, who have ensured its survival as a unique part of England's natural heritage. Nottinghamshire County Council and Forest Enterprise now manage the woodland as a NNR in partnership with English Nature and the Thoresby Estate. The NNR was declared in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester in 2002 to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Wildlife
The woodland is dominated by both native oaks - sessile oak and pedunculate oak - which occur in great numbers along with other native trees such as silver birch, rowan, holly and hawthorn. Scattered amongst the bracken-filled glades of the wood are more than 1000 large oaks most of which are known to be more than 500 years old. The most famous of these 'veteran' trees - the Major Oak - is the largest of the group and may be nearly twice that age. These oaks owe their shape and character to a time when grazing animals such as deer and sheep kept the woodland open.

These giants of the forest - each one with its own distinctive character - are host to an exceptional array of wildlife found only amongst the hollow trunks, rotten wood and decaying bark of the trees. Over 1000 species of beetle and spider have been found, many of which are rare and dependent on these old trees for their survival.

Other wildlife is abundant in the NNR. The woodland in autumn reveals a rich community of fungi, with over 200 different species recorded on the trees and on the woodland floor. Animals that also depend on old trees include birds such as the great-spotted woodpecker, tawny owl and redstart, and a number of bat species such as the noctule bat.

Large tracts of sandy heathland, dominated by heather, were once typical of the Forest of Sherwood and remnants are found within more open areas of the NNR. The nightjar is often heard 'churring' eerily across the forest heaths at dusk during the summer, whilst the tussocky grass-dominated heaths are particularly important for ants and spiders and are favoured feeding areas for green woodpeckers.

Management
The trees and heaths of the NNR require careful management if they are to survive as true remnants of Sherwood. Of greatest importance is the continued survival of the old oaks. In parts of the wood, they have become surrounded with non-native trees such as pine, beech and sycamore and these are being slowly removed and replaced by native oaks and birch. Similarly, new generations of native oaks are being allowed to grow old. Many of the rare animals associated with the oaks depend upon decaying-wood to survive, so fallen trees and branches are deliberately left to decay where they fall. The standing dead oaks are also very important. The heaths of the NNR also require the control of scrub and bracken in order to keep the habitat open and in good condition for wildlife.

Visiting
You are very welcome to visit the NNR all year round. Car and bicycle parking can be found at Sherwood Forest Country Park (open all year dusk to dawn) north of the village of Edwinstowe along the B6034. The NNR can also be reached by bus direct from the City of Nottingham
(phone Traveline 0870 6082608).

A number of public rights of way cross the NNR and a series of way-marked footpaths and trails are available around the Country Park. Parts of the NNR are accessible to less mobile users. A regular programme of guided walks and events organised by Nottinghamshire County Council take place within the NNR each year and the Ranger Service runs a full Education Programme
please telephone 01623 823202 for details.

Given the large extent of the woodland and that the old trees are occasionally liable to shed their branches please take care and keep to the designated footpaths whilst visiting the site.