RSPB South Shropshire Local Group

High Vinnalls - Saturday 17th October

 

Looking over Peeler's Pond

 

On our arrival two members (Rene and Bryan) reported seeing a beautiful fallow deer stag crossing the Ludlow to Wigmore road on the way to High Vinnalls – a delightful addition to their morning.There are several paths leading from the car park and we chose one which took us back close to this road, then round in a wide circle through conifer and birch plantations passing a large secluded pond. This is the first section of a well-waymarked “all-abilities” trail which eventually follows a figure-of-eight. Although it was cold and dry the sky remained stubbornly overcast and birdlife was elusive at first, though the pleasant surroundings and developing autumn colours made up for this. Soon we were aware of long-tailed tits, goldcrest, nuthatch and other common woodland birds foraging overhead. Emerging from this section of the trail we had a brief look at Peeler’s Pond and were pleased to see and hear cronking ravens and a jay as well as a small passing flock of early redwing.

From here our route took us steadily uphill until we reached the highest point at a wooden observation tower (not publicly accessible) where there are 360˚ views across several counties and into Wales. These views are quite breathtaking – if the climb has not aready had that effect! Here we saw parachuting meadow pipits and at least one skylark in full song, adding a rather summery effect to a decidedly autumnal day.

After retracing our steps down to the main wide track we skirted around the back of Peeler’s Pond and took the rest of the all-abilities trail through more woodland, again noting the usual species of woodland bird. Bryan helped us to identify a large, dark brown and rather mature fungus specimen as a type of Russula. As seems to be a feature of our walks, it wasn’t until we arrived back at the car park that we noticed our first buzzard – better late than never!

 

 Chris Bateman

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Wyre Forest - Saturday 19th September

 

Callow Hill Visitor Centre and Pond on the Buzzard Trail  - (photos: O O'Brien)

The group has visited this forest twice before, walking from the main Callow Hill and from the Hawkbatch car parks. This time eleven of us met at Callow Hill but took the 3 ¼ mile Buzzard Trail anti-clockwise for a change. This delightful path meanders through a variety of habitats (mainly woodland of course) and we soon saw and heard expected species such as nuthatch, bullfinch, great spotted woodpecker, dunnock, chaffinch, goldcrest and several types of tit. In wide spaces between the trees there was still a great deal of heather in full bloom and evidence of an earlier crop of whinberries (spell as you will), all indicating acid conditions. Close-up views of predatory garden spiders in the centre of their magnificent webs proved fascinating to some. In the distance we watched a party of 4 jays fly overhead, and the occasional eerie sound of steam whistle from the nearby Severn Valley Railway punctuated the natural stillness.

Other wildlife to note: a few speckled wood butterflies; a black beetle with a brilliant iridescent purple underside; southern hawker dragonflies, and an interesting fungus growing on dead silver birch trunks. This was pure white and in one case the exact size and shape of a goose egg – probably a young birch polypore. As well and the heather we saw tormentil in bloom and admired the beautiful deep pink rowan berries in the arboretum section.

 High Wire (Photo: Brian Pegg)

On our way back we passed the "Go Ape" attraction where those of an intrepid disposition were crawling, swinging and tiptoeing their way through a series of nerve-jangling rope structures at treetop height. As usual we finished our morning with snacks and drinks in the Visitor Centre café at the end of the Buzzard Trail, where the eponymous bird finally put in an appearance.

 

Chris Bateman

 

Lake Vyrnwy –Saturday 18th July

 

 

Rhiwargor Falls

 

It was an overcast day as eight of us gathered outside the RSPB Shop and Visitor Centre where we immediately saw chaffinches, house sparrows, blue tits and a robin around the feeders. Crossing the road to the Coed y Capel hide we had a good view of the feeders covered in large numbers of siskins, tits and finches whilst blackbirds, a pheasant and a grey squirrel feasted on the nuts dropped from above.

We then set off on the Llechwedd-du short trail where greenfinch, swallows and a nuthatch were soon added. A loud call in a fir tree then caught our attention but as we raised our binoculars a dusky red bird flew off which we thought was a male crossbill. Climbing up the hill we saw a number of ringlet butterflies flittering amongst the roadside undergrowth whilst we listened to a great tit. Off-road now, the path climbed through a mixture of trees and bushes and crows and a buzzard circled overhead whilst we watched a baby siskin. At the top we heard the lovely song of a song thrush and goldcrests in the conifers. Coming down we added chiffchaff, willow warbler, dunnock and grey wagtail and a juvenile great spotted woodpecker clinging to the top of a dead tree. Back at the picnic tables we had lunch, with pied wagtails nearby and a singing wren.

We then drove to the north end of the lake to walk the Rhiwargor trail up to the spectacular Pistyll Rhyd-y-meincau waterfall (commonly known as the Rhiwargor Falls). The best bird was a redstart with more buzzards and a kestrel and a number of willow warblers. Finally we visited the Centenary hide but despite sitting there for 25 minutes, saw absolutely zilch. However, as we walked back to the car park we jumped as a couple of very loud screeches overhead were made by two low flying herons.

It was now time for hot chocolate and cake at the Lakeview tearoom where we sat outside and watched great spotted woodpeckers at their bird table.

 

Trevor Halsey

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