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Description
Bredon Hill's height and relative isolation makes it a beacon for migrating birds. Alongside this Bredon Hill as a wide range of habitats from Orchards to Woodlands to Farmland resulting in a range of scarce breeding birds. During the winter it can become a hostile and exposed site especially around the submit. However, some birds do choose to winter here especially on the sheltered slopes. Resident species that remain during the winter include Marsh Tit, European Stonechat, Red Kite and Eurasian Nuthatch. Other species including Brambling, Common Crossbill, Fieldfare and Redwing can also be found in number during the winter. Rarer species that have visited duirng this time include Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Hen Harrier and Great Grey Shrike .
As it gets towards the end of March and the start of April the first spring migrants arrive starting with Northern Wheatear. Bredon Hill offers one of the best and most reliable places in the area for Ring Ouzel with double figures most years. Other scarcer migrant species include Whinchat, Black Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. Bredon Hill also is one of the best locations for Dotterel though these aren't annual. Spring rarities have included Montagu's Harrier, Stone-curlew, Common Quail and Black Kite.
Breeding species that arrive in the spring include Common Redstart, Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Other common breeders include Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit and Eurasian Skylark. The autumn migration is much like the Spring and again Ring Ouzels are the target for most. Rarer species recorded in the autumn include Hawfinch, Snow Bunting and even a Pied Wheatear!
Details
Access
The hill is covered in footpaths that cover almost every part. However, these paths are steep in most places and can be very muddy. Parking can be acheived in any of the villages that surround the hill with Elmey Castle outside the church normally the favoured parking spot for many. The whole area is worth visiting with good habitat dotted around the hill however, the summit and Northern slopes are normally the favoured loaction for migrant species. The indicated circular route on the map is about 10 km long.