GO BIRDING
WEST MIDLANDS
Plenty for all the family to enjoy in a suburban setting
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 6 MIN TIME: 3 HOURS
The Arboretum lies close to Walsall town centre and motorway networks, so provides an easy stop-off point if travelling through the area. A large lake holds common waterfowl, while the Rushall Canal adds a walk of further interest towards the nearby Park Lime Pits. Night Heron and Long-eared Owls have been recorded in the nearby area.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The pools hold Mute Swan, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Canada and Greylag Geese, Mallard, Coot, Cormorant, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Pied and Grey Wagtails during the quieter periods. Kingfishers are also fairly regular visitors.
2 Check trees for Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff and Coal Tit. Goldcrest breed in conifers. Areas of scrub attract Song Thrush, Wren, Blackcap and Dunnock. Open grassland attracts Mistle Thrush, with Redwing and Fieldfare present during cold snaps. The extension area has patches of scrub which attracts the odd Redstart and Tree Pipit in autumn. Green Woodpeckers are regularly encountered.
3 The Rushall Canal and surrounding fields are again good for thrushes, augmented by the arrival of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat in spring. Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are regular, with Raven often heard overhead. Swallows, House Martins and Swifts are present in good numbers, and occasionally a Common Tern may be seen. A few Yellowhammers are still to be found.
4 Park Lime Pits has varied habitat and holds
