BIRDS OF THE MALVERN AREA
(passage and migrant species)
Andrew Warr and Steve Whitehouse of the West Midlands Bird Club have provided the following additional information for those of you wanting to see the less common passage and migrant species in the area:
The best period to see passing migrants is from September through to mid-November. Mid-March and April produce smaller numbers of the same species that occur in autumn. From dawn to mid-morning gives the best results. Winds with an easterly element tend to increase the variety of birds.
A good place to see autumn migrants is from the saddle at the top of Happy Valley as early in the morning as possible. You should see various pipits, larks, thrushes and finches, mostly flying west into Herefordshire.
Below are some notes on specific migrant species:
- Black Redstart: The steep boulder-strewn Chat Valley on the eastern side of North Hill is the best site in the county for Black Redstart.
- Crossbill: Sometimes present in larches on Jubilee drive in autumn and winter.
- Dotterel: Very rarely observed on the Malverns, but the best chance would be in early May.
- Grasshopper Warbler: Now rare as a breeding species in the Malvern area, but spring passage birds are best located on Castlemorton Common in early May.
- Jack Snipe: Present in small numbers on the dampest areas of Castlemorton Common from late September to early March.
- Nightingale: Singing males can be heard on Castlemorton Common in late April and May.
- Ring Ouzel: A regular passage migrant in both spring (mid March to mid April) and autumn (late September to early November). Best located at the top of Happy Valley, around North Hill and in North Valley. Early morning visits give the best chance of success, particularly in the spring, when birds usually hang around only for the first couple of hours of the day.
- Snow Bunting: Almost annual in small numbers from early to late November on North Hill and Worcestershire Beacon. Has also been observed on Herefordshire Beacon.
- Turtle Dove: Best observed in the Golden Valley and on Hollybed Common, from late April to July.
- Wheatear: Passage birds best observed from early March to mid April and again in September. Can be seen anywhere along the Malvern range, but the best localities include North Hill, Worcestershire Beacon and Herefordshire Beacon. A few pairs have remained to breed in the past.
- Whinchat: A few spring passage birds, but more likely in September on Castlemorton or Hollybed Commons.
- Wryneck: Always a chance of finding an autumn passage bird in September. Could appear anywhere along the Malvern range, but any of the Commons could produce one, particularly Castlemorton or Hollybed Commons.
