WYRE FOREST
A wildwood walk for forest and river birds
The Wyre Forest, on the Worcestershire/ Shropshire border, covers approximately 10 square miles. A mixture of deciduous wild wood and conifer plantations along with redundant orchards, clearings and scrub along the old railway line ensures a wide range of woodland species. An added bonus is Dowles Brook, that bisects the forest, delivering a chance of Dipper and Grey Wagtail, plus bridge viewpoints for observing soaring raptors.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Scan the clearing around the car park and along the railway embankment for resident species, typically thrushes, finches and tits including Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll, Marsh, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, plus Siskin, Goldcrest and Firecrest in conifers. Also present are Jay, Green, Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and summer visitors such as singing Blackcap and Whitethroat. 2 Check Dowles Brook for Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail, plus Dipper, which tend to feed among the boulder-strewn sections of the stream. Woodland margins attract Spotted Flycatcher and Cuckoo, while the valley slopes are good for Wood, Garden and Willow Warblers and an outside chance of a Pied Flycatcher. 3
From the old railway bridge viewpoint on a sunny morning, scan for soaring raptors displaying over the canopy, typically Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, plus possible Red Kite, Goshawk and Raven. Hirundines, Swift and Hobby will be on the cards as the season progresses. Old orchards and large clearings nearby are favoured habitats for Redstart, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and at dusk, Nightjar and Woodcock. 4 Mature woodland supports Hawfinch, Siskin, Marsh Tit and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, plus summer migrants such as Wood Warbler, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart. Conifer plantations harbour Siskin, Firecrest, Goldcrest and Coal Tit.
Situated on the western edge of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve, Dengemarsh, with its variety of RSPB-managed wetlands, this is the perfect area to connect with a wide range of spring migrants and breeding birds. Dengemarsh has an enviable track record for rarities; typically ‘overshooting’ summer migrants from the near continent such as Purple Heron, Black Kite, Black-winged Stilt and Red-rumped Swallow.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Check the garden bird feeders for Tree Sparrow and adjacent scrub for Sedge and Cetti’s Warbler, Whitethroat, Stonechat and Linnet. Scan the Boulderwall fields for grounded passage waders such Bartailed Godwit and Whimbrel, plus wagtails, pipits, finches and buntings.
2 From the viewpoint scan Hooker’s Reedbed for Sedge, Reed and Cetti’s Warblers, Bearded Tit, Cuckoo plus passing hirundines and Swifts. A good spot to view displaying Marsh Harriers and Hobbies hawking flying insects. The back fields attract Shelduck, feral geese, Stock Dove, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and egrets. At dawn and dusk listen for ‘booming’ Bittern and ‘sharming’ Water Rail. Little Grebe, Shoveler and Gadwall should be present in open water.
3 The flooded hayfields harbour breeding Lapwing and Redshank alongside the chance of passage waders; typically Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit, plus Yellow Wagtail and Water Pipit. From Dengemarsh hide, view the lake for Great Crested Grebe, Garganey, Common Tern, Common Gull, and Common Sandpiper.
4 Arable fields, drainage ditches and sheep pasture are good for breeding Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Reed and Corn Buntings, while grid pylons provide ideal perches for Raven, Hobby and Peregrine. Check for Whinchat and Wheatear on passage, and dung heaps for wagtails and pipits.