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birding...
England Shropshire
Situated on the border between England and Wales, Shropshire has a wide range of habitats from upland moorland, down to the fertile valleys of slow flowing rivers. There is coniferous and deciduous woodland, some remnant lowland heathland and extensive areas of farmland, from small upland hill farms to the large fields of the lowland farms in the east of the county. The collection of meres around Ellesmere is a focal point for winter wildfowl and gull roosts. This is the nearest we get to sea watching, especially when gales blow in Leach`s Petrel, Manx Shearwater or Gannet. In this large, under watched county rarities tend to disappear - the only Bluethroat for the county was found dead under a bungalow window! A number of sites are good for waders especially the Shropshire Ornithological Society`s reserve at Venus Pool, also the Shropshire Wildlife Trust reserves at Wood Lane near Ellesmere and Chelmarsh, near Bridgnorth. The last vestiges of moorland on the Shropshire Hills are the place to see Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Stonechat and even an occasional Merlin. Pied Flycatcher and Redstart are mostly confined to the hill country of the southwest but Raven and Peregrine have increased their range in recent years and may be encountered on the Shropshire plain. The largest habitat is farmland and can still produce Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting and Skylark. Lapwings cling on but are becoming scarcer by the year. The conifer woods of the southwest occasionally produce Crossbills and Siskins whilst Goshawks lurk in the shadows. |
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top sites |
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Chelmarsh Reservoir
(SO726881)The long narrow Chelmarsh reservoir attracts wintering duck and passing gulls and terns. The Shropshire Wildlife Trust and the South Staffordshire Water Company manage the marsh at the west end to attract waders on passage. There is a hide from which the reed bed and pools can be observed in comfort. Reed Warbler and Water Rail are among the wetland birds to be seen at this site.Earl`s Hill
(NGR SJ409048)The Shropshire Wildlife Trust`s flagship reserve south of Shrewsbury near the village of Pontesbury. It has a wide range of habitats from grassland and scrub to deciduous woodland and the Habberley brook providing homes for a wide range of species. Meadow Pipit and Raven may be seen near the top of the reserve whilst the woodland holds warblers, tits, woodpeckers and Pied Flycatcher. Along the stream are Grey Wagtail and Dipper.Ellesmere
(SJ405345)Close to the town of Ellesmere, Ellesmere, is the largest of a number of meres in this area. With a small heronry on the island, visible from the visitor centre, the mere is worth a visit at any time of year. In the winter it is particularly good for gulls with a large roost often containing some of the rarer species, and usually has a range of wintering ducks including Goosander, Smew. Wintering Cormorants have a roost here but keep an eye open for the occasional diver.Long Mynd
(SO420920)Dominating southern Shropshire is the upland mass of the Long Mynd. Some 13km by 6km, the National Trust largely owns it. Although the pressure of sheep grazing has influenced the varied habitats this is still a good area to see Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Stonechat, Whinchat and Wheatear. The steep valleys contain Grey Wagtail and Dipper whilst Raven and Buzzard are often seen overhead. For the lucky a fleeting glimpse of Merlin may be a bonus.Stiperstones
(SO365985)To the west of the Long Mynd, the Stiperstones is another upland site, with more rocky outcrops and more heather among the boulder-strewn ridge. A National Nature Reserve with interesting geology and botany in addition to its upland birds. Attempts are being made to return this ridge to a continuous tract of heather moorland and many of the conifer plantations are being removed. For more information see the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Site (below).Venus Pool
(SJ549061)Situated just to the south of the A458 Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth road (about 5 miles SE of Shrewsbury) this shallow pool with gravel islands now has a public hide. There are two smaller hides that are reserved for members of the Shropshire Ornithological Society who own and manage the site. A good spot for passage waders, gulls and terns in season and it has a large Black-headed Gull colony.Whitecliffe Common
(SO506744)Situated to the south west of the River Teme the common overlooks Ludlow but it is the woodland that covers the steep slope down to the river that holds a small flock of Hawfinches that are found under the Hornbeams most winters. There will also be flocks of tits and other finches whilst the river itself is a good place to see Kingfisher, Dipper, Siskin and Redpoll.Wood Lane
(SJ421331)This wetland is reclaimed sand and gravel workings and has been recently developed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust; it is a good place for waders on passage. Access to the hides is by permission only. For more detail visit the SWT website. Local observers are developing a website for this site which is due to be launched later this year (2000) - watch this space!contributor |
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Colin Wright
Biological Records Officer, Shropshire Wildlife Trust
(Shrewsbury)
colin@colin-wright.freeserve.co.uk
county recorder |
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Geoff Holmes
22 Tenbury Drive, Telford Estate, Shrewsbury, SY2 5YF.
01743 364621
geoff.holmes4@btopenworld.com
numbers |
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County Bird - Common Buzzard Buteo buteo [The county list is being scrutinised adn revised]
useful reading |
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Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Shropshire
Deans & Sankey Paperback ( 1 March, 1992) Shropshire Ornithological SocietyISBN: 095186890X
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Wetlands of Shropshire and Staffordshire
MD Leah, CE Wells, P Stamper, E Huckerby and C Welch 252 pages, b/w photos, figs. Oxbow Books 1998ISBN: 1862200238
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to watch birds in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcester and the former West Midland County
F Gribble, G Harrison, H Griffiths, J Winsper and S Coney - Series: WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE: HELM SERIES 312 pages, 53 maps, 24 line drawings. Christopher Helm 2007ISBN: 9780713664195
Buy this book from NHBS.com
useful information |
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Biological Records Officer at Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Viv Geen: vivgeen@shropshirewt.cix.co.uk who would welcome records of birds, plants, animals etc from the Trust Reserves.
Proact
Coordinator: Bevan Craddock (Salop, Staffs., Warks., West Midlands and Worcs.)
Members: 1
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
Contact your coordinator via mailto:info@proact-campaigns.net
clubs |
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Friends of Priorslee Lake
http://www.priorslee.org.ukThe purpose for this Site is to show the General Public what an excellent resource we have here with this lake in Shropshire...
Shropshire Ornithological Society
http://www.shropshirebirds.comHelen Griffiths, 01743 761507 (home) or 01743 282012 (work) helen.griffiths@english-nature.org.uk
The Society plays an important part in the national network of Bird Clubs. This includes the production of an Annual County Bird Report which contains the systematic list of all sightings reported to the County Bird recorder together with articles and reports on all aspects of bird study within the county. The Society covers the County for national surveys and makes past records available for current research. It actively joins in the partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology and County Bird Clubs. The Society is involved in the management of several sites in the County, to ensure they remain excellent bird habitats. Venus Pool, an important wetland, is owned and managed by the Society.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
http://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/The Shropshire Wildlife Trust site at has information on most of its nature reserves and contacts for other activities. The variety of Shropshire`s wildlife habitats is reflected in its nature reserves. Some are significant landscape features from the mosses and meres of the north to the hills of the south and west. Others are more discreet and have to be searched for in this extensive inland county.
reserves |
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Fenn`s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses NNR
http://www.english-nature.org.ukStraddling the English-Welsh border, its open landscape is a rare wilderness in a sea of lowland agriculture...
Stiperstones NNR
http://www.english-nature.org.ukAnimals of significance include red grouse, stonechat, upland wood ant, grayling and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies, while plants to note are cowberry, crowberry, yellow mountain pansy, moonwort and stag`s horn clubmoss...
Venus Pool
http://www.shropshirebirds.com/venuspool.htmThe SOS flagship Reserve. Originally a large pool in a field, probably formed when the railway embankment on the north side was built and impeded natural drainage...
Wall Farm
http://www.watchwild.com/Wall Farm and the surrounding countryside is home to many of our British mammals. Although there are no extensive areas of woodlands on the farm there are some excellent areas of roadside, field boundary and corner plantings that provide sufficient cover for many birds and animals and the ocassional Grey Squirrel can be found here...
Wem Moss NNR
http://www.english-nature.org.ukThe open mire, an ancient vegetation type with good wilderness quality, is fringed with carr woodland. It has developing bogmoss lawns with open pools, and these feature cranberry, all three British species of sundew, cottongrass, cross-leaved heath, bog rosemary, white-beaked sedge and bog myrtle...
Wood Lane Nature Reserve
http://www.woodlanereserve.co.ukWood Lane is the Tudor Griffiths Group sand and gravel extraction site near Ellesmere, Shropshire. The worked out parts of the quarry provide an exciting opportunity to enhance the whole area in terms of nature conservation and provision of various wildlife habitats for a wide range of wildlife. To further develop nature conservation work, The Tudor Griffiths Group has earmarked a restored area of the quarry as a nature reserve with open access for visitors to enjoy...
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
places to stay |
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Ashfield Farmhouse
http://www.oswestry.com/ashfield.htmlOld roses and scarlet creepers ramble this lovely 16th Century Coaching house and Georgian farmhouse. Spacious quality accommodation gently combining both Welsh and English Country traditions. Large fragrant gardens and orchard, one mile south of Oswestry and one mile from A5 and A483. Nestled amidst unspoilt beauty in the peaceful Shropshire/Welsh Borderlands rich in splendid mountains, lakes and woodlands and enchanting castles. An abundance of birds and animals, catch a glimpse of timid badgers or soaring buzzards, much to experience and explore.
Belvedere Guesthouse
http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/belveder.htmlThe Belvedere is pleasantly situated on the lower slopes of the Long Mynd on Burway Road, standing in its own gardens enabling you to relax amongst the flowers and fishponds. Set in the midst of the beautiful South Shropshire countryside, it is still only a gentle stroll to the shops and amenities of Church Stretton.
Brimford House
http://www.ukbed.com/heart-of-england/brimford-house.htmBrimford is an elegant Georgian farmhouse nestling in beautiful, tranquil surroundings on the Shropshire/Welsh border between the River Severn and the Briedden hill. The area is only 20 minutes away from Shrewsbury and Welshpool. The bedrooms are of a high standard, large, and spacious with TV and coffee making facilities. Good hearty farmhouse breakfasts are served with homemade preserves and free range eggs. There is a large garden to relax and a country pub within 3 minutes walk.
Hammond Country Hotel
http://www.redfern-hotel.co.uk/pict-08.htmlA high standard of accommodation is offered, half-way between Ludlow and Kidderminster, with Worcester to the south east. The Hammond Country Hotel [previously called Redfern Hotel] has been welcoming guests to this ancient English market town for over 25 years...
North Hill Farm
http://www.infopet.co.uk/pages/9700.htmlThe unspoiled beauty of this part of the border country gives pleasure to birdwatchers, and we have a wealth of bird life including buzzards and ravens, which are often seen performing their aerobatics above the farm. We also have woodpeckers and a big variety of song-birds...
Shuttocks Wood B&B
http://www.shuttocks.co.ukExpect a warm welcome from Juliet & Howard Rutherford when you arrive with a cup of tea and a slice of cake or perhaps something a little stronger to get your stay off on the right foot...
The Old Vicarage
http://www.vicarage-guests.co.uk/With the hills and valleys of Wales just over the border, take a break from the modern world and experience the spacious accommodation in our Georgian home c1790 click the door to look around The Old Vicarage. Discover this unspoilt part of the Shropshire countryside for yourself - endless views, rolling hills, country walks plus many other historic houses and places of interest. The Old Vicarage bed and breakfast is set in large private grounds in a truly peaceful village setting.
Wildlife Gardening with Jenny Steel
http://www.wildlife-gardening.co.ukNew garden, new bird list! Yellowhammers in my hedge, both willow and marsh tit at the feeders and Welsh red kites around...
mailing lists |
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Shropshire Birds
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shropshirebirds/To post to list:Shropshirebirds@yahoogroups.com
List contact:Shropshirebirds-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:Shropshirebirds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
In order to communicate the information as soon as possible > of county sightings, hide records and other sites. PLEASE Mail your sightings from around the county here, it will go to all other people registered. To report your sightings ring 01952 270738, speak clearly after the tone. Should you encounter any problems try 07951 243922 This information will be posted as soon as possible after your report. thanks Paul
other links |
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BLOG - Jim Almond - Shropshire Birder
http://shropshirebirder.blogspot.com/This site is devoted to my photographic activities whilst out birding - I never ever bird without a camera! My local patch (Venus Pool near Shrewsbury) is the focus but I'm not averse to going out and about...
CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd
http://www.birdfood.co.uk/The CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd is based in Shropshire a few miles east of Shrewsbury and their site at has much useful information on bird feeding...
Oswestry Wildlife
http://www.oswild.org/birds/Lists of birds, nature reserves etc...
Shropshire Biodiversity Action Plan
http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?ID=493Conservation plans for species, partners etc.
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