LEICESTERSHIRE
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 2 MIN TIME : 2 HOURS
Mixed birding on the edge of Charnwood Forest
This used to be my regular woodland patch, and although it can be busy with dog-walkers and cyclists at times, it’s generally a place to appreciate the songs of woodland birds, and look for something out of the ordinary. The ruins of Grace Dieu Priory add a scenic touch (and are reputedly haunted), while you can easily extend your walk into Cademan Wood, where Charnwood Forest’s granite outcrops start to become apparent.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The main body of the woods is criss-crossed by paths and tracks, and even a short wander should bring you Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and mixed tits and finches, plus Jays (especially visible in autumn) and all the obvious common woodland birds. In autumn and winter, you might well flush a Woodcock, although they probably breed a little further into the forest.
2 The open fields off Warren Lane offer wide vistas looking out towards the Trent Valley, or up towards Charnwood’s ancient granite tors. Look for Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and, increasingly, Red Kite overhead, while Peregrine and Raven nest nearby and are always possible. In passage periods, Wheatear and Ring Ouzel are possible.
3 Grace Dieu Brook has breeding Grey Wagtails, with Pied Wagtails also likely, while I’ve observed Hobby hawking dragonflies above its course in summer.
4 The sewage works sometimes attracts wagtails, including Yellow on pas
