National Trust Rangers will host a series of free walks and talks this weekend to highlight changes to the woodlands that will encourage the return of woodland bird species.

The Bringing Back the Birds project will see woodland at Low Wood, part of the High Close estate, and at St Catherine’s near Windermere undergo a five-year programme of thinning, coppicing and deer fencing, thanks to a grant from the Forestry Commission.

National Trust Ranger Ben Knipe will host some of the walks which will describe the National Trust’s woodland plans and says: “Woodland bird species have declined across the UK because of a number of reasons including unwanted grazing or not enough maintenance. Woodlands need our help to keep them in prime condition for wildlife such as birds and bats.

“Our five-year woodland plan will work to diversify the structure of the wood and give nature a kick-start to help the woods regenerate once again. Through this we hope to encourage species such as spotted and pied flycatchers, wood warblers, redstart and tree pipits. Many of these will be arriving over the next two weeks after a long flight over the Sahara.”

The Bringing Back the Birds walks, will take place on Saturday 12 April at Low Wood (meet at High Close, opposite the Youth Hostel, nr Grasmere) and Sunday 13 April, (meet at the Footprint building in Windermere ) at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Please bring sturdy footwear. More information can be found by calling Ben Knipe on 015394 46402.