Cuckoo's Hollow and Car Dyke, Werrington
by Tony Parker & Colin Holmes
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PBC Where to Watch Birds Cuckoo's Hollow and Car Dyke, Werrington by Tony Parker & Colin Holmes |
| Sightings for past week: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past month: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past year: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
List of species seen at this site
Our first visit to the area was a crisp frosty New Year's Day morning after a boozy night at the Holmes'. A brisk walk was what we needed. We saw two of everything that morning and decided to check out the area on a regular basis and have done so ever since.
At first glance this site does not appear to be very exciting, but it has a few regular interesting species. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are frequently seen in most areas and Hobby has been recorded. Little Owls can be found on farmland to the north of Car Dyke. Barn Owl has been reported in the area and, so I have been told, one flew across in front of our car late one night. But I was too drunk to see it or if I did I didn't remember seeing it.
Kingfishers frequent the area, especially the stream draining out of the lake and Car Dyke. They are often seen resting and fishing from perches that have been provided for them along the bank. Green Woodpeckers are to be found in the parkway shelterbelt, especially the area that is well grazed and has lots of anthills.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are regularly seen. The best place is to watch the Cuckoo's Hollow feeders especially in the autumn and winter. Another regular species is Grey Wagtail, which is often found feeding around Werrington Bridge or along the stream to the lake.
Daubenton's Bats often feed around the Werrington Bridge on summer evenings. The lake holds the usual common water birds including Great Crested Grebe, which breeds each year, and Water Rail throughout the winter. This can be a very difficult bird to see, but as soon as the lake freezes it moves down along the stream below the weir to feed, and can often be watched from the bridge.
The feeding areas that have been set up attract all the usual species, some in good numbers. The Car Dyke feeding area is in the hedgerow near the Werrington Bridge, which is the best place to watch from. Depending on the time of year good numbers of Yellowhammers, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Collared Doves and House Sparrows turn up to feed.
Great news too! Tree Sparrows have been seen recently, a former breeder in the area. Bullfinches have started to turn up this year with up to five present. Last winter a male Brambling, seen on several occasions, was a bit special. Two butterfly areas have been started though it will be a few years before they develop. Even so, 20 species have already been recorded.
If anybody visiting the area sees anything interesting, please let us know.
