Beech and oak trees are capable of reaching a great age and the shedding of branches from the oldest specimens supports an important ecosystem of insect life as it decays into the woodland floor. Here the insects flourish and support both the resident bird population and a community of small woodland mammals, which in turn play their important part in the food chain for larger predators.

The natural hollows and variations of the ground have enabled a small woodland pond to establish in an area of low ground. This attracts a good deal of activity as the creatures of the forest gather around this valuable resource. Nearby the ground shows evidence of the excavation of badgers. This indicates healthy levels of wildlife in this unspoilt environment. This includes occasional sightings of Reeves Pheasant that are a relatively unusual in the UK but exist in small numbers in secluded woodlands having first been imported to this country in the 1830s from their native Chinese home.

This peaceful location makes the ideal place to spend time camping overnight to enjoy the sights and sounds of the night time wood. When the evening light at the wood's western edge fades to darkness and the limitation of human vision gives the wildlife freedom of the forest, strategically positioned trail cameras along the well worn foraging routes of League Wood will capture a snapshot of ceaseless nocturnal activity.

League Wood has a long history dating from when nearby Winchester was a centre of ecclesiastical and political power for many centuries during the middle ages. A league was an Old English unit of measurement traditionally based on the distance a person or horse could walk in an hour. The entire surrounding area including Durley, was firmly under the control of the Bishops and much of the land in the area was bestowed as favours to local dignitaries. These days the woodland is a much valued enclave, where nature and wildlife can flourish yet still be within easy reach of nearby population centres of the south coast.