Six great places to go birdwatching in Worcestershire

A golden oriole was heard singing near the Monkwood Nature Reserve- these protected birds are rare and extremely endangered.

Luckily, the people of Worcester are surrounded by beauty spots and nature reserves that wildlife flocks to.

Nature-lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to birdwatching spots.

However, if you do travel to a local nature reserve remember to treat the area with respect and avoid visiting during peak and busy times.

Here are five of the best birdwatching hotspots in Worcestershire- and the birds that you might be able to spot while there:

Monkwood Nature Reserve

Monkwood Nature Reserve

The potential reports of the golden oriole have been reported near Monkwood.

However, this isn’t the only species of bird near Monkwood and the shrubs and trees are colonised by a variety of birds- especially summer migrant willow warblers, blackcaps and garden warblers.

Tawny owls, tree creepers and various species of woodpecker have also been spotted here.

Avon Meadows Community Wetland, Pershore

This area comprises of 24 hectares of land beside the River Avon.

The wetland is a hotspot for birds and a variety of different species flock here; to date 133 species of bird have been spotted here.

Cuckoos are around but are yet to settle to a specific territory.

If you are lucky, you might also catch a glimps of a Kingfisher grazing the waters.

Reed and Cetti Warblers are commonly seen here.

 Bredon Hill, Vale of Evesham

View to Bredon Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/2400525

Birdwatchers are encouraged to park up at Elmley Castle for their best chance of seeing birds here.

Buzzards, sparrowhawks and red-legged partridges are just some of the birds you can see in this area.

Here are some of the birds that have been spotted in the Bredon Hill area during spring/summer months: Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Redsatart, Spotted Flycatcher.

Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve, Upton Warren 

This is a particularly popular birdwatching site in Worcestershire, as it is home to some spring migrant birds.

 Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting and Water Rail can be spotted here.

Scarcer species include sanderling, whimbrel and spotted redshanks.

However, you will need to obtain a £3 permit in advance- and remember to stick to the paths and respect the nature reserve while here.

Malvern Hills

According to Birding For All’s website, the best place to start your birdwatching journey is the car park at British Camp which goes between the Hill Fort and the reservoir.

Here are some of the birds that have been spotted during the summer months: buzzard, sparrowhawk, little owl, tawny owl, green and great spotted woodpecker, skylark, raven, meadow pipit, linnet, yellowhammer.

Wyre Forest, Bewdley

This is one of the top-rated woodlands in Britain- and well worth the journey if you are planning a spot of birdwatching.

According to Fat Birder, a birdwatching website, the best area to visit is around Dowles Brook.

Here, you might be able to spot a sparrowhawk, owl or even a woodcock.

Raven, hawfinch and redstarts are other bird species which have been spotted in the area.