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Description
This walk (6 km out and back) closely follows the route of the Plymouth Friary to Turnchapel branch line of the London and Southwestern Railway.
(1). Laira Bridge check the river, a Red-necked Grebe was seen here in January 2025. The Plym Estuary (see separate entry) upriver from here has had some notable national rarities.
(2). The busy Billacombe Road has few birds but from the Paleolithic Woolly Rhinoceros Statue, things should start to get better.
(3). In the trees, shrubs and scrubland here listen out for the scratchy 'who am I, who am I, who am I, cetti, cetti cetti' calls of Cetti's Warbler. Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff frequently overwinter.
(4). European Goldfinch, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Linnet and several other passerines can be found here, listen out for the 'kee-kee-kee-kee-kee' call of Great Spotted Woodpecker and the 'yaffel' of Eurasian Green Woodpecker.
(5). Hooe Lake Swing Bridge, at high tide Great Northern Diver, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Sandwich Tern are often seen here.
Details
Access
Laira Bridge to Hooe Lake Swing Bridge is in the Eastern part of the City of Plymouth. The A379 (Plymouth to Aveton Gifford) main road passes very near the Laira Bridge on street parking spot. Press P on map for directions.