Herefordshire
Birding Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a county in the West Midlands of England. It borders Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and Wales to the west (the Welsh counties next to Herefordshire are Monmouthshire and Powys). The county is one of the most rural and sparsely populated in England and the land use is mostly agricultural and the county is well known for its fruit and cider production, and the Hereford cattle breed.The River Wye, which at 135 miles is the fifth-longest in the United Kingdom, enters the county after briefly being its border with Powys. It flows through both Hereford and Ross-on-Wye before returning to Wales. Leominster is situated on the River Lugg, a tributary of the Wye. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal and The Leominster & Stourport Canal were constructed in the nineteenth century, but these were never successful and there are now few remains to be seen. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal is currently the subject a restoration project, which includes the construction of a new canal basin in Hereford city centre. The project, however, is being undertaken by a small voluntary group and there is no expected date for any part of the canal to re-open for boating.There are two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the county. The Wye Valley is located in the river’s valleys south of Hereford, while the Malvern Hills are in the east of the county, along its border with Worcestershire.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.
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Barnett Wood
Satellite ViewOne 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
Satellite ViewSeven 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
Satellite ViewFive 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. -
Brockhall Gravel Pits
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HOC Top Sites
WebpageAnnotated map of the best sites. -
Haugh Wood
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High Vinnalls
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Olchon Valley
Satellite ViewTwo 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
Satellite ViewThree 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.
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Mick Colquhourn
Old Gore House, Old Gore, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7QT
07587 151627
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Number of bird species: 251
County Bird - Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
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The Birds of Herefordshire 2007-2012
| (An Atlas of Their Breeding and Wintering Distributions) | by Mervyn Davies, Peter Eldridge, Chris Robinson, Nick Smith & Gerald Wells | Liverpool University Press | 2014 | Hardback | October 2014 | 446 pages, 200 colour photos, b/w illustrations, 348 colour distribution maps, colour tables | ISBN: 9781781381267 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Where to Watch Birds in West Midlands
| By F Gribble, G Harrison, H Griffiths, J Winsper & S Coney | Christopher Helm | 2007 | Paperback | 343 pages, 53 maps, 24 line drawings | ISBN: 9780713664195 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Herefordshire Ornithology Club
WebsiteThe Club takes an active interest in all local conservation issues and has ties with national and local conservation bodies. The records are summarised in the Annual Report but have recently been published in some detail as: “The Birds of Herefordshire 2007-2012 An Atlas of their breeding and wintering distributions”. A large proportion of the membership was engaged in some aspect of this production. -
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
WebsiteHerefordshire WildlifeTrust is the largest membership-based wildlife organisation in the area, dedicated to inspiring people about wildlife, acting as a wildlife champion, creating wildlife havens and encouraging sustainable living.
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HWT Queenswood & Bodenham Lake
WebpageSatellite ViewOnce part of the vast ancient oak wood that once stretched to the Welsh borders and beyond, today Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum comprises 123 acres of ancient native woodland, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) surrounding a 47 acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees from all over the world.
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Sightings of birds in Herefordshire
SightingsWe encourage the submission of all sightings that might interest or help others who watch birds in Herefordshire. Sightings are informal reports of interesting birds that have been seen in the county and this page is primarily intended to inform others so that they might also see the bird.
Click on WAND to see Fatbirder’s Trip Report Repository…
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Abbots Lodge B&B - Wigmore
AccommodationAbbots 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 -
Burton Hotel
AccommodationThe 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
AccommodationA 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.
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The Wild Bird Store
WebsiteWelcome to the Wild Bird Store, Herefordshire’s only dedicated specialist supplier of wild bird food and accessories. … -
Wiggly Wigglers
WebsiteBirds 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
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Photographer - Mick Colquhoun Photography
WebsiteI have been taking photographs since I was a child, growing up with B & W and a home darkroom. I wanted to photograph birds for as long as I can remember but had to wait until I had finished university and could afford a decent camera. After a career in the NHS, retirement has now given me more time for photography and to develop this website.