Croft Castle and Parkland, Herefordshire
The ancient hornbeam trees around the Iron Age hill fort of Croft Ambrey are a traditional wintering area for hawfinches. These shy finches have massive bills, said to exert a pressure equivalent to 40 psi – just right for opening up the seeds of hornbeams.
Flocks of common crossbill can be seen and heard feeding on the seeds of pine and other conifer trees in Croft’s woodlands (listen for the explosive ‘chip, chip’ call). Other finches and buntings forming flocks around the estate include bullfinch, yellowhammer, redpoll and siskin.
Croome Park, Worcestshire
The yew trees around the lake attract flocks of hawfinches in some winters, whilst the parkland and adjacent old Defford airfield (no public access) has been home to the rare and elusive winter visitor the great grey shrike on a few occasions.
The open grassland of the parkland provide feeding grounds for flocks of redwings, fieldfares and meadow pipits, the latter sometimes attracting the attention of a merlin. This small falcon is a rare breeder in upland areas but follows its favoured prey to the lowlands in the winter.
The Croome River is the spot for wintering ducks and other waterbirds; highlights this winter have included a flock of over 50 widgeon.