Monday 29 October 2012

Dowles Brook or a Walk in the Forest

Having decided we needed to stretch our legs and take advantage of the sunshine on Saturday I looked for somewhere we could walk, but with the chance of seeing some feathered friends as well.

We then received an email from the National Trust (members of that as well!!) promoting the "Big Walk" so I had a look at what they were suggesting that wasn't to far away and one that came up was a 4.5 mile circular walk around the Wyre Forest taking in Dowles Brook, so as I know there are allegedly Dippers there, decision made! This was a first visit so we didn't know what to expect, but armed with Coffee, Hot Water and snacks we set of from Dry Mill Lane Car Park.

The weather was great if a tad cold, but we soon warmed up walking, the first half of the walk was along one of the cycle routes before dropping down to the brook. There wasn't a great deal of activity, though we did pick up a Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. We were also sure we could hear Crossbills, but couldn't find them. We still haven't had any good sightings of Crossbills in the UK, just a fleeting glimpse once up in Scotland and hearing them occasionally... One day!

Once down in the valley and walking alongside the brook, we kept our eyes peeled for Dipper. On a couple of occasions we thought our luck was in but every time it was Robin darting around the banks of the brook. Can we claim a Red-breasted Dipper!! We have had plenty of Dipper sightings in the past up in Scotland but never locally... One day! (Or is that two days now)

Despite not seeing a dipper we had a great walk and did pick up a Willow Tit near the end which was great, so our small list for the walk was:

Blackbird, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Crow, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Wood Pecker, Jay, Robin, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and 4 Buzzards on the way there.


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