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England Herefordshire

Barn Owl Tyto alba �Nigel Blake http://www.nigelblake.co.uk/

The Herefordshire Ornithological Club (HOC) studies wild birds and their habitat, particularly in Herefordshire, with a view to their conservation. The Club, which is a registered charity, promotes investigation into all aspects of bird life in the county and supports similar research by other organisations at local or national level. We publish reports and accounts of such research and surveys carried out in Herefordshire and make them available to other bodies that may be able to make use of the information as it effects conservation and planning in the county.

HOC aims to increase the knowledge of its members in all matters affecting wild birds and their habitat by holding both Field and Indoor Meetings, which are led by experienced bird watchers and conservationist. The Club endeavours to advance the education of the general public in all matters relating to bird life and habitat enhancement.

top sites

Barnett Wood

(SO402691)one mile west of Wigmore. Park by minor road one mile west of A4110 from Wigmore at bottom of hill. Then take track and paths south. Woodland birds.

Bircher Common & Fishpool Valley

(SO456661)Seven miles SW of Ludlow. Car park half-mile northwest of B4362 from Cock Gate. Then follow paths and nature trails north and west through the woods and up the valley to Bircher and Leinthall Commons. Woodland birds and summer warblers.

Bodenham Lake

(SO525515)Five miles south of Leominster the lake is now an official nature reserve run by the County Council. It has a hide, and there is a car park at the entrance. Otherwise view from minor road 1.5 mile east of A417. Wildfowl, passage terns and waders.

Olchon Valley

(SO297300)Two to four miles north-west of Longtown. There are three parking areas: at Black Darren grid ref. SO297300; the Ford at grid ref. SO274337 and at Black Hill grid ref. SO287330. Then paths to hills, woods and Olchon Brook. Woodland and upland species including Red Grouse, Peregrine and Ring Ouzel.

Wellington Gravel Pits

(SO507483)Three and a half miles north of Hereford. Entrance to site south of minor road, half a mile east of A49 at grid ref. Go to porta-cabin adjoining weighbridge and book in. Then southeast to disused gravel pits. Wildfowl, passage terns and waders.

contributor

Tom Weale
HOC Secretary
weale@tinyworld.co.uk

county recorder

Steve Coney
5 Springfield Road, Withington, Herefordshire, HR1 3RU
01432 850068
coney@bluecarrots.com

numbers

Number of bird species: 251
County Bird - Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

useful reading

Where to Watch Birds in West Midlands

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Former West Midlands - F Gribble, G Harrison, H Griffiths, J Winsper and S Coney Series: WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE: HELM SERIES 312 pages, 53 maps, 24 line drawings. Christopher Helm due June 2007
ISBN: 9780713664195
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: None!
Join us now at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

clubs

Hereford Nature Trust

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/hereford/
Since being founded in 1962, the Herefordshire Nature Trust, a registered charity, has been playing a key role in protecting this heritage and conserving the wildlife of our county. In addition, the Herefordshire Nature Trust is one of a nationwide network of Wildlife Trusts associated with the Royal Society for Nature Conservation.

Herefordshire Ornithology Club

http://www.herefordshirebirds.org
The Club takes an active interest in all local conservation issues and has ties with national and local conservation bodies. We support and co-ordinate various bird monitoring schemes within the county and will be running our own full County tetrad survey Breeding Atlas from April 2008.

reserves

Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre

http://www.owlcentre.com/
A magical place to experience animals, birds, and owls.

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can�t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page� give them a try!

tour operators

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

places to stay

Abbots Lodge B&B - Wigmore

http://www.abbotslodgebandb.co.uk
Abbots Lodge is located in a delightfully peaceful setting between the church and the medieval castle. An unconventional property, it makes the very most of the elevated site and far reaching views. Having spotted its potential, we have enjoyed working on the renovation project, using John�s architectural as well as his cabinet making skills, (examples of which you might spot during your stay!). The woodlands around Wigmore are full of beautiful walks and wildlife...

Burton Hotel

http://www.hotelherefordshire.co.uk/
The Burton Hotel is an attractively modernised coaching inn set in the heart of a small market town near the Welsh border. Situated on Offa`s Dyke Long Distance Footpath, Kington is a natural centre for Rambling, Fishing, Bird watching...

Sink Green Farm

http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/sinkgree.html
A very warm friendly welcome awaits you at Sink Green Farm with its 16th. Century stone farmhouse overlooking the picturesque River Wye, set in 170 acres of the beautiful peaceful Herefordshire countryside, yet only three miles from the Cathedral City of Hereford. Our livestock farm has an abundance of wildlife, especially birds which include kingfishers, herons and swans. Ideal for those who would like a relaxing holiday or somewhere to unwind after the pressures of business.

Herefordshire's Biodiversity Action Plan

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?id=492
Partners, conservation plans etc...

Wiggly Wigglers

http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/
Birds love live food - Protein is necessary in the diet of all wild birds and one of the best sources of this is live food. The decrease in bird habitats through intensively farmed land and consequent loss of hedgerows, copses and woodland has seen a continuing decline in natural sources of live food such as worms, larvae, and beetles. Supplying this food at your garden birdtable is therefore becoming very important for a whole range of birds from Robins and Wrens to the less common Woodpeckers and Tits...