BORDERS
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 4 MIN TIME : 3 HOURS
Ornamental parkland, woodland, lake, golf course & river
The Hirsel Country Park is the estate of the Earls of Home, with more than 170 species recorded. The estate is made up of a variety of habitats, with the dominant factor being the artificial lake in the middle which provides a very large roost in the winter for waterfowl and gulls. Both Smew and Mandarin have been reported here recently. There is a small hide on the southern side of the lake which can be very productive and for disabled birders the wide tarmacked roads restricted to residents offer safe and excellent birding.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The main car park gives views over the lake and short walks around the walled garden and fields, and close-ups of the reedbeds. It is worth driving slowly up the drive to scan the golf course. We visited in March, and got Reed Bunting, Wheatear, Canada and Greylag Geese.
2 The circular walk around the lake lets you scan the farmland and the mixed woodland and hedgerow that border it, however it can get very muddy. The eight-person hide gave us Little Grebe, Goldeneye, Teal and Goosander.
3 The Yellow Walk travels along the fast-flowing Leet Water riverside with views over the golf course. It’s worthwhile stopping at the bridge and looking upstream. We managed Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard and Oystercatcher.
4 Dundock Wood is accessed from a car park on the A697, or as part of a walk from the south side of the lake. There are a lot of small paths to follow, but if you g
