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 potápka rudokrká 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 cetie jižní. pěnice černohlavá and budníček menší frequently overwinter.
(4). stehlík obecný, pěnkava obecná, sýkora modřinka, sýkora koňadra, mlynařík dlouhoocasý, pěvuška modrá, kos černý, konopka obecná and several other passerines can be found here, listen out for the 'kee-kee-kee-kee-kee' call of strakapoud velký and the 'yaffel' of žluna zelená.
(5). Hooe Lake Swing Bridge, at high tide potáplice lední, alkoun úzkozobý, alka malá and rybák severní 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.
