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England Wiltshire

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella ŠNigel Blake http://www.nigelblake.co.uk/

The landlocked county of Wiltshire consists of a rolling plateau of chalk downland bordered by lowland in the NW and SE. The chalk downland (an internationally threatened habitat) is split into two areas by the rich Vale of Pewsey. To the north are the smaller, higher Marlborough Downs, whilst to the south are the more extensive Salisbury Plains. The county is mainly agricultural with pasture for sheep or pigs, and large fields for cereals. The major rivers are the two Avons. The first of these runs westward through the county of Avon and into the Severn Channel. The second drains to the south into Hampshire and enters the English Channel at Bournemouth. Although the lack of proximity to the sea restricts the range of birds somewhat, for the careful birdwatcher there is still much of interest to be found.

top sites

Braydon Forest

(ST999875)A remnant of ancient woodland, with the resulting range of species. This wood is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve, though the others nearby are also worthy of a look. The wood also contains a small lake that has been known to attract rarities on passage.

Cotswold Water Park

(SU020940)This collection of water filled gravel pits lies on the border between Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Disturbance from water-sports can be a problem, but mostly the birds move from one pit to another so a continual sweep will generally produce a good variety of waterfowl and waders, including the occasional rarity.

Great Ridge

(ST930365)Ancient oak woodlands which contain a better than average selection of woodland birds including nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, woodcock Scolopax rusticola and nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos.

Grovely Woods

(SU050343)Ancient oak woodlands which contain a better than average selection of woodland birds including nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, woodcock Scolopax rusticola and nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos.

Marlborough Downs

(SU130680)This area of chalk downland takes up (along with Salisbury Plain) most of the area of Wiltshire. This site is more easily accessible of the two but suffers relatively more form human disturbance and contains less species.

Salisbury Plains

(SU070440)This area of chalk downland (along with malborough Downs) takes up most of the area of Wiltshire. It is used extensively by the army for gunnery ranges and tank training grounds and as a result access is heavily restricted. Species include hen harriers Circus cyaneus, great grey shrike Lanius excubitor during winter and breeding quail Coturnix coturnix and stone curlews Burhinus oedicnemus.

The By Brook

(ST840770)A picturesque valley much visited by tourists, but which contains some great woodland birds. The main attractions are the dippers Cinlus cinlus and kingfishers Alcedo atthis that breed here and that can afford some marvellous views. (The map ref here is for Castle Cary, just one of the places on the brook. but the one most likely to have parking)

Woods around Stourton

(ST778340)The woods by the National Trust village of Stourton are still relatively unexplored, but have been shown to contain a large selection of birds rare elsewhere in the county. Crossbills Loxia curvirostra, woodcock Scolopax rusticola, nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus, lesser spotted woodpeckers Dendrocopos minor, grasshopper warblers Locustella naevia and firecrests Regulus ignicapillus can all be found at various times of the year, though patience and thorough searching may be required!

contributor

Chris Andrews
cdandrews@talk21.com

county recorder

Rob Turner
14 Ethendum, Bratton, Westbury, Wilts. BA13 4RX
01380 830862
robt14@btopenworld.com

useful reading

Birds of Wiltshire

Wiltshire Ornithological Society 2007
ISBN: 0955527007
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Watch Birds in Somerset, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire

by Ken Hall & John Govett 3rd edition Helm ?Where to Watch? series. 2004 ?14.99p
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713666145
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Wiltshire Birds

Stephen Palmer Paperback (November 1991) Wilts Co. Cncl, Lib. & Museum Service
ISBN: 086080223X
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: 1
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

clubs

Great Bustard Group

http://www.greatbustard.com
The Great Bustard Project - re-introduction into the UK...

RSPB - North Wiltshire Members Group

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/northwiltshire/
Welcome to the website of the North Wiltshire RSPB Local Group. This site is for you, especially if you are interested in birdwatching and conservation in Swindon, North Wiltshire and the surrounding areas...

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/about/
The Society, which is a Registered Charity, administers its internationally important Museum and Library at Devizes. It arranges a summer programme of field meetings and excursions to interesting buildings, exhibitions and sites, as well as extended visits to historic centres in Britain, which in recent years have included York, Lincoln and Chester. In winter, a lecture programme covers archaeology, art, history and natural history...

Wiltshire Ornithological Society

http://www.wiltshirebirds.co.uk
We welcome anyone who has an interest in wild birds in Wiltshire regardless of ability and we particularly encourage more juniors to join to develop their interest in birds. The Outdoor Programme caters for all and such field trips are the perfect place to get to know other members... Membership Secretary: John Roberts mailto:jmroberts@care4free.net

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org
The vision of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a county richer in wildlife, managed on sustainable principles. We are Wiltshire`s largest independent voluntary organisation concerned for wildlife and countryside.

reserves

Cotswolds Water Park

http://www.waterpark.org/
Created by extraction of the Cotswold Stone Gravel over 40 years, the area is being reclaimed for nature and leisure. Although continuously developing, and with 40 more years of reserves, the Park is already of national importance for wildlife, particularly over wintering wildfowl and contains twelve sites of Special Scientific Interest and numerous nature reserves.

National & Local Nature Reserves

http://www.english-nature.org.uk/text_version/special/nnr/nnr_results.asp?c=46
English Nature manage 7 national reserves in Wiltshire, and six local ones...

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 cant 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...

Heywood Holidays

http://www.ashecottage-holidaylets.co.uk/
We have 2 large cottages that each sleep 15 people. They are located in Rural Wiltshire, and the gardens are visited by woodpeckers (green and greater spotted) amongst many other things, deer, badgers and so on. There are woods all around...

places to stay

Catkin Lodge

http://www.catkinlodge.fsnet.co.uk/
Catkin Lodge in beautiful rural Wiltshire is AA 3 Diamond rated accommodation and is the nearest Bed and Breakfast to the ancient Stonehenge Monument. Catkin Lodge is only 15 minutes from the historical City of Salisbury with its magnificent Cathedral and Old Sarum Hill Fort. This is an area also famous for the modern day mystery and phenomenon of Crop Circles. We are ideally situated for visiting many local attractions and sites of historical interest such as Avebury Stone Circle, Woodhenge, Wilton, Winchester, The New Forest...

Heywood Holiday Cottages

The Old Rectory

http://www.oldrectorylacock.freeserve.co.uk/
Welcome to The Old Rectory and experience an elegance of a bygone era at this imposing Grade II listed house, situated two minutes stroll from the beautiful and famous village of Lacock.

Wildbrook Grange

http://www.widbrookgrange.co.uk/
Widbrook Grange, home of resident owners Jane and Peter Wragg is an elegant 250 year old Georgian country house hotel peacefully located in 11 acres of grounds on the outskirts of the ancient medieval town of Bradford-on-Avon...

Wilderness Cottage

http://www.uk-holiday-cottages.org/
Magnificent 17th Century self catering Holiday Cottage in quiet Wiltshire hamlet just 20 minutes from the City of Bath (click for map). Sleeps 16+2 in 8 bedrooms...

BLOG - Bob Philpott - Cotswold Water Park

http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/cotswoldwaterpark/
This weblog covers sightings in the Cotswold Water Park irrespective of county. It is designed to record all recent sightings within the Cotswold Water Park and aims to increase reports of sightings for this area...

Cotswold Water Park Biodiversity Action Plan

http://www.waterpark.org/society/biodiversity_action_plan.html
Conservation partners and plans...

Swindon Birds

http://www.swindon-birds.co.uk/
This website features sightings and photos of birds and other wildlife, in and around the Swindon area. Please re-check the site regularly, as it is being updated and added to all the time...

Webcam - Bluetit Watch

http://bluetitwatch.co.uk/default.aspx
We live just outside Swindon on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border in the south of England. The site is updating daily, so if you want the latest info in TitLand come back soon!

West Wilts Wildlife

http://www.westwiltswildlife.co.uk
...covers the area of Seend, Melksham and Devizes and hopes to enrich local knowledge of Wildlife species in our area. The website includes reports, sightings, photo galleries and will soon be expanded to include wildlife Webcams as well as Mini-Films...

Wildlife From Winchester

http://geography.wincoll.ac.uk/jjcskw/index.htm
Simon Woolley`s webpages including a mystery bird competition and trip reports.

artists

Artist - Jonathan Pomroy

http://www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk/
Since leaving art college I have worked as a freelance wildlife and landscape artist. I have aimed to have three or four one man exhibitions each year and have really enjoyed exhibiting at such venues as Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserves Slimbridge, Arundel and The Wetland Centre at Barnes...

Artist - Susan Shimeld

http://natureinart.com/birds_index.html
Initially self-taught wildlife artist and life long lover of all things wild...

Photographer - Daniel Webb

http://danielwebb-photographer.webnode.com/
The photographs shown on this website are all taken by Wiltshire based photographer Daniel Webb, at various locations throughout the UK and feature various images showing you stunning pictures of landscapes, zoom photography and various diffent birds from around the world...

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