Don't hang around here for long, especially if you fancy a sit-down, as wood ants are rather prolific in the vicinity, particularly on the banks towards Wallaford Cross.
Southern wood ants (formica rufa) aka red wood or horse ants are aggressive predators that play a vital pest control role in our woodlands, eating caterpillars in particular. They have large, biting jaws & spray formica acid in defence of their nest. They are the UK's largest ant species. Their nests are built out of soil, twigs, leaves & pine needles & can be home to up to 500,000 individuals! On sunny days you may see the ants 'sunbathing' on top of the nest to absorb heat which they later release into the brood chamber. Very intelligent creatures!