Morborne Hill and The Billing Brook
by Brian Stone
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PBC Where to Watch Birds Morborne Hill and The Billing Brook by Brian Stone |
| 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 |
The area of interest lies mostly along the top and western edge of a ridge of relatively high ground, which rises to about 60m (200 feet), and along the Billing Brook which runs parallel to the ridge for some way. Sheep grazing dominates the land and broad hedgerows and a few small copses divide the fields. This produces a landscape not unlike parts of Rutland and in stark contrast to the prairies to the east. The prominent radio and communication mast and tower can be seen for miles around and provide a dramatic focal point. Perhaps they also act as a navigation aid for passing migrants.
The fields are nearly all improved grassland used for grazing sheep and are relatively small. There are also a few arable fields. The landscape is dotted with mature trees, and mature hedgerows mark most fields boundaries. There are areas of dense scrub at the top of the hill around the tower and at the bottom of this hill. There is a small poplar wood with sparse understory where the Morborne Road crosses the Billing Brook and a small deciduous wood (called Papley Gorse) with dense vegetation a little way south along the Brook. An ancient hedgerow with some old trees follows the Brook. The Brook itself is small but always has some water running and floods during the heaviest rain.
The potential of this area, both for breeding birds and migrants is remarkable. A Grey Wagtail was singing here for a while in early spring 2000 and is a potential colonist. Already some very scarce county birds have turned up here and, considering that it is far from being a heavily watched site, there must be great potential for others birds to be located in the future. How about a Golden Oriole attracted by the Poplar stand next to the Brook. Tree Pipit is a likely spring migrant. Raptors are clearly attracted to the ridge and the flocks of Meadow Pipits or winter passerine flocks should attract Merlin. Of the more exotic possibilities how about Richard's Pipit on one of the rough grassy fields (two Richard's Pipits wintered on nearby Polebrook Airfield recently.
In winter the fields are home to large flocks of winter thrushes, mainly Fieldfare. Flocks of Golden Plover are also regular, although they tend to settle slightly further north. Buntings and Finches form, sometimes impressive, flocks with Yellowhammer and Chaffinch dominant but with several Reed Buntings, Corn Buntings and the odd Brambling or Tree Sparrow among them. These tend to congregate around the winter sheep feed. Winter is also a good time to see Treecreeper, Goldcrest and occasionally Marsh Tit along the Billing Brook.
The area has a remarkable record for attracting migrants, especially in spring. The top of the hill near the mast and the area of scrub at the bottom of the hill west of the mast are best. The fields at the top of the hill are often one of the first places to see spring Wheatears. As well as the more common migrants, Black Redstart, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Ring Ouzel, Firecrest and even a Serin have all been recorded.
Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warbler have occurred at migration time although it is possible that they could breed nearby. Nightingale can usually be heard in Spring and Papley Gorse is the best spot for these. Common Buzzards are becoming more regular with three together in early Spring 2000. A Peregrine was present in Autumn 1999 and a Honey Buzzard was seen nearby in October 1998. Red Kites are also becoming more regular. A spectacular array of raptors was recorded on 13 May 2000 when Osprey, Red Kite, Peregrine, Buzzard, Hobby, and Marsh Harrier all showed for a lucky bird race team.
Rooks nest in a loose colony, which stretches along the Brook. Stock Doves breed on the mast and start to display from early Spring. The Yellowhammers also start to sing early and Skylarks breed mainly on the top of the ridge. That other declining species Linnet also appears to be secure here for now. Green Woodpeckers can be heard calling most of the year and breed along the Billing Brook. Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff all breed.
The stars must be the Mandarins which nest in the older Willows along the Billing Brook. Up to 4 birds can be seen regularly from March onwards, although they can be elusive. Moorhen, Mallard and, recently, Greylag breed along the Brook. Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey and Red-legged Partridge also breed. Corn Bunting can be very hard to find but singing males do turn up occasionally and the occasional Tree Sparrow is recorded. Little Owl breed in old willows along the brook. Barn Owl breed in the small wood to the south.
Access by car is via the old drovers route called Bullock Road, which runs roughly parallel to the A1 and marks the western edge of the site. Take the old Oundle Road out of Peterborough through Alwalton and Chesterton towards Elton. About a mile west of Chesterton take the first turning left signposted to Great Gidding and Haddon. This is Bullock Road. Two minor roads lead to the left off this to the villages of Morborne and Haddon. Both eventually lead to the A1 at Norman Cross. A footpath and bridleway link the two villages and an area of Countryside Stewardship land runs alongside the Billing Brook between the two roads. There are no others public rights of way, but fortunately much of the area can be scanned adequately from the roads.
