THE LODGE RSPB
Classic woodland walks suitable for all ages and abilities
RSPB HQ is set among 440 acres of mixed woodland, plus relic heathland and formal gardens. The open heath is the ‘jewel in the crown’, as non-native pines are removed, thus encouraging the growth of heather with the aim of attracting scarce breeding birds such as Nightjar, Tree Pipit and Wood Lark. This walk also includes the chance of river valley and farmland birds beside Biggleswade Common. A wide range of other flora and fauna are present, eg Natterjack Toad, Yellow-necked Mouse, Purple Hairstreak, and Brown Hare.
Check the feeders around the car park for Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Coal, Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and maybe a Siskin or Lesser Redpoll. The woodland trails hold additional Treecreeper, Jay, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and a chance of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, while the formal gardens are worth checking for Spotted Flycatcher and Firecrest. Meadow Hide overlooks a pond where Moorhen, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail are sometimes noted. Bird feeders attract the usual tits and finches.
The relict acid heathland, birch scrub and marginal woodland attracts typical summer migrants including Cuckoo, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher with an outside chance of Hobby, Turtle Dove and Tree Pipit. Nightjar, Wood Lark and Dartford Warbler have all put in an appearance in recent years, but have yet to become firmly established. The likes of Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch are also likely. At dusk Tawny Owls are active and there is always the chance of a ‘roding’ Woodcock.
The rough fields and hedgerow margins on Biggleswade Common attract resident farmland birds such as Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Barn Owl, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and a chance of Corn Bunting. Check drainage ditches for Grey Heron, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting, along with summer breeders such as Yellow Wagtail, Sedge and Reed Warblers, and passage migrants, typically Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat. The open vista also provides Red Kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk soaring over Sandy Warren, plus Swifts and swallows.