Spring content for Things to Do at Carding Mill Valley

Birds to spot in spring

After the quieter winter months, the hill bursts into life in springtime. Migrant birds such as Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and Whinchat return from their African winter quarters and fill the hills with their song. Resident birds Skylark, Meadow Pipit song can be heard again – another sure sign that winter is over.

These bird sing in the air – an adaption to open habitats. Dippers rarely sing but can be heard from February singing in Carding Mill Valley, Batch Valley and Ashes Hollow. Also, look out for the spectacle of Ravens performing their ‘loop the loop’ manoeuvre; they are the only birds that can fly upside-down!

Best Bird Hotspots

All the hills and valleys are bustling with courting and nest-building birds at this time of year; however, there are several different places that are particularly good for springtime bird-spotting. Dotterel (first week in May), Skylark and Wheatear can be seen near the Gliding Station, with Tree Pipit and Reed Bunting at Pole Cottage. Cow Ridge and the Reservoir are good places for seeing Cuckoo and Tree Pipit, while the Batch Valley often hosts Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler. In Carding Mill Valley, Grey and Pied Wagtail can be seen around the tea-room area, and Wheatear frequent the Burway. Also, the Pipe Walk offers a varied mix of habitats, which ensures the best chance of hearing and seeing a wide range of birds and is ideal for hearing the spring dawn chorus.

Of course, this is just a selection of the birds that can be seen on the Long Mynd. So, grab your identification book (or app) and see how many you can recognise on your next walk.