An underwatched migration viewpoint with great potential
Away from Eyebrook Reservoir, the east of Leicestershire is greatly underwatched, but Burrough Hill has always been a good place to be during migration periods. Reaching nearly 700 feet high, and looking west towards the Soar Valley and Charnwood Forest beyond, it has great potential for flyovers, plus plenty of resident birds.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
Check the trees around the carpark for roving tit and finch flocks in autumn and winter, maybe with the likes of Treecreeper or Nuthatch tagging along with the former.
2
There’s a toposcope at the hill fort’s south-west corner, and not surprisingly it offers a good vantage point for ‘vis-migging’. Finch and Starling flocks, Sky Larks, Meadow Pipits and winter thrushes will inevitably dominate, but keep an eye and ear out for something more unusual. Buzzards predominate above, plus Kestrel and, increasingly, Red Kite.
3 Nearby scrub on the southern and western slopes is good for passage Redstarts in autumn, and the commoner warblers on passage (plus breeding Whitethroat and Blackcap).
Ring Ouzels have been recorded on the slopes in spring, so are always worth checking for.
4
Burrough Hill Covert is home to the commoner woodland species, but did also play host to the county’s first Radde’s Warbler.
5
The scrubby areas to the north are worth checking. Migrants often turn up here, too, and both Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were present in the past.
6 Check the fields to the west and south. Yellowhammers are present in good numbers in winter, plus the likes of Sky Lark and Meadow Pipit.
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: LE14 2QZ
GRID REF: SK 766 115
MAPS: OS Explorer 233 or 246, OS Landranger 129
PARKING: Pay and display car-park, £ 2.50 a day, check for closing times at gate
TERRAIN: Muddy paths and steeply undulating in parts, but main part of hill-fort is level
ACCESS: All hours on foot
FACILITIES: Toilets on site, but currently closed. Pub in nearby Somerby, or everything in Melton (7 miles away).
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
In spring and summer, keep an eye on the sky for Ospreys. The Rutland birds sometimes wander surprisingly far in search of small, sheltered lakes
TARGET BIRDS SPRING/SUMMER ● Sky Lark
● Red Kite ● Buzzard ● Marsh Tit ● Willow Tit ● Ring Ouzel ● Whitethroat ● Blackcap ● Chiffchaff ● Osprey
AUTUMN/WINTER ● Redstart ● Spotted Flycatcher ● Yellowhammer ● Redwing ● Fieldfare ● Meadow Pipit