WORMLEIGHTON
Canal and farmland birding in the heart of England
The quietly beautiful countryside, where Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire meet, offers interesting birding at all times of year, as well as gentle walking. The Wharf Inn, on the main A423 between Rugby and Banbury, is a great place to start. From there, join the Oxford Canal towpath, and rather counterintuitively, head west. The canal soon loops round and back under the road, and makes its way past Wormleighton Reservoir and on towards Cropredy, site of a major Civil War battle and an annual music festival featuring folk-rock legends Fairport Convention. Winter thrushes are usually abundant in the fields on either side, while in spring Blackcap, Willow Warbler, both whitethroats and Garden Warbler are all possible. Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits are common, and keep an eye out for Yellowhammers in the hedgerows. Kestrels and Buzzards are the raptors seen most frequently, but Red Kites are starting to become more regular in this area, drifting up from the Chilterns, or perhaps from the Rockingham Forest reintroduction scheme further east. Kingfisher is a possibility at any time along the towpath, and almost certain at the reservoir - this is a private site, but you can view it from points on the towpath.
Otherwise, Mallards, Canada Geese, Coots and Great Crested Grebes are the most likely birds to encounter, but be prepared for a greater variety of wildfowl in winter. You can leave the towpath and make your way into historic Wormleighton village, then walk back along the road to The Wharf, or simply retrace your steps – whichever you choose, this is a rewarding walk.