Worcestershire
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Worcestershire |
Map reference: SP0174 Access: Unclassified road off the B4120 south of Barnt Green. Park considerately. There are two reservoirs. Upper Bittell is used for watersports, mainly sailing. A footpath runs over the dam at the southern end and is probably the best vantage point, although a telescope is virtually essential. Restricted views can be obtained from the northern side from the North Worcestershire Path. Lower Bittell is used mainly for angling and is crossed at its northern end by an unclassified road. Views can be obtained from the road or from the bridleway that runs from the road in the direction of Upper Bittell. In addition to the usual birds Cormorants turn up at regular intervals. A winter visit could also produce Shoveler, Wigeon and Snipe. Resident: Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk. April - September: Blackcap, Whitethroat. Passage waders including Greenshank and Common Sandpiper. October - March: Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Siskin. Map reference: SO9640 Access: Parking at Elmley Castle and Westmancote. Follow footpaths and bridleways onto the hill. Bredon Hill does not hold large numbers of birds but there is the chance of something unusual, especially during autumn migration. Resident: Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Grey and Red-legged Partridge, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Nuthatch, Jay, Yellowhammer. April - September: Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher. Possible Pied Flycatcher. Recent spring and autumn migrants have included Dotterel, Whinchat, Wheatear, Merlin and Red Kite. October - March: Fieldfare, Redwing, Redpoll, Siskin, Brambling. Map reference: SO9479 Access: Parking in Nimmings Lane or at Walton Hill, signposted from the A456 Halesowen to Hagley Road. This is another popular area with families and dog walkers but they rarely stray from the paths between the car parks and the hilltops. The hills are mainly the property of the National Trust and are made up of bracken slopes on top with mixed woodland on the surrounding slopes. There is a small area of gorse on top of Walton Hill which can be good for Linnet and Meadow Pipit in the spring and summer.There are also some pools in the area holding small amounts of waterfowl including Little Grebe. The Woodland Trust reserve of Uffmore Wood between Walton Hill and the Halesowen Bypass is good for woodland birds. The Clent Hills was my local patch when I first started birdwatching and I saw alot of common birds for the first time here. Bird numbers have dropped since, for example Tree Sparrows used to be common, but there are now regular sitings of new birds especially Buzzard and Raven. It is also well known for Ring Ouzel passage in the spring (I saw them on Walton Hill on 8th April). Resident: Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Jay, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail, Yellowhammer. Buzzard and Raven may appear overhead at any time. April - September: Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Meadow Pipit, Linnet. Ring Ouzel and Wheatear on passage. October - March: Fieldfare, Redwing, Redpoll, Siskin.
Map reference: SO9975 Access: Parking at the Lickey Hills visitors centre, signposted from the B4096 Rednal to Bromsgrove Road. This is a popular area with families and dog walkers so better to visit early in the morning or during the week. Official website here. Resident birds include Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Jay, Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Summer visitors include Wood Warbler and possible Pied Flycatcher. Worth a visit in the winter months when I've seen Siskin, Brambling, Crossbill and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Resident: Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay. April - September: Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher. Possible Pied Flycatcher. October - March: Flocks of tits and finches including Siskin and Brambling. Possible Crossbill.
Map reference: SO7640 Access: There are many car parks along the 8 mile ridge of the hills. Park near Great Malvern for the northern hills and at British Camp where the A449 cuts through for the southern hills. The grassy tops of the Malvern Hills are good for a walk at any time of year, but it is probably the passage birds which hold the most interest for birders. Nearby Castlemorton Common has patches of gorse and bramble which have held breeding Grasshopper Warblers in the past. Resident: Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Raven, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Yellowhammer. April - September: Wheatear, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler. Ring Ouzel on passage. October - March: Fieldfare, Redwing, Redpoll, Siskin. Map reference: SO9565 Access: On the B4091 Bromsgrove to Alcester road 2 miles south of Stoke Prior. Website: http://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/index.php?section=places%3Areserves&reserveid=87 This woodland was purchased by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust in 1995. For a pleasant walk and a variety of species take the footpath from the wood up to Hanbury church and then down the hill into Hanbury Park. Resident: Little and Tawny Owl, Stock Dove, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay. April - September: Redstart, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher. October - March: Flocks of tits and finches including Siskin, Redpoll and possible Brambling and Crossbill. Map reference: SO7475 Access: North and west of Bewdley. Car parks at the Wyre Forest visitors centre on A456 and on the B4194 Bewdley to Buttonoak road. Or park in Bewdley, walk north along the west bank of the Severn, and then turn west along Dowles Brook. The best area for birdwatching is along Dowles Brook. There are Dippers, Kingfishers and Grey Wagtails on the brook, and in spring the area is alive with warblers, including Redstart, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher. All three woodpeckers are present. Resident: Sparrowhawk, Woodcock, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, all three woodpeckers, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Raven, Hawfinch. April - September: Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher. October - March: Redwing, Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbill. Updated 26 September 2003 Home | West Midlands | Worcestershire | Warwickshire | Staffordshire |
