12:30-14:00: Wapley Hill, Leominster, Herefordshire (52.253763, -2.941387)
My friend Nick Gates and I drove into northern Herefordshire where, following the demise of the Forest of Dean population, there is still a small willow tit population thriving in the elder and hazel scrub within the older forestry plantations. The larch can also provide a useful food resource in the winter months. Today the larches were alive with literally thousands of birds, including a singing male crossbill, 100+ coal tits, 200+ siskins and lesser redpolls and at least 3 bramblings. A pair of willow tits eventually showed very well, with the male in full song, in the elder scrub around the car park. Elder scrub has to be the most overlooked and tidied habitat in the UK, but wherever you see willow tits, elder is not far away. Leaving room for it to rot is extremely important if willow tits are to survive in the UK. 154 species reached.
My friend Nick Gates and I drove into northern Herefordshire where, following the demise of the Forest of Dean population, there is still a small willow tit population thriving in the elder and hazel scrub within the older forestry plantations. The larch can also provide a useful food resource in the winter months. Today the larches were alive with literally thousands of birds, including a singing male crossbill, 100+ coal tits, 200+ siskins and lesser redpolls and at least 3 bramblings. A pair of willow tits eventually showed very well, with the male in full song, in the elder scrub around the car park. Elder scrub has to be the most overlooked and tidied habitat in the UK, but wherever you see willow tits, elder is not far away. Leaving room for it to rot is extremely important if willow tits are to survive in the UK. 154 species reached.
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