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Description
Old Park is an excellent site within walking distance of Canterbury, making it a good site for birding tourists visiting the city particularly in spring/summer. The wooded areas (especially Chequers Wood) hold Alaca Baykuş, Karabağlı ötleğen, Boz ötleğen, Çalıkuşu, Sürmeli Çalıkuşu, Orman tırmaşıkkuşu, Orman alaca ağaçkakanı and all the common woodland species. The more open areas have Ketenkuşu, Küçük Ak Gerdanlı Ötleğen, Akgerdanlı ötleğen and a good population of Bülbül. The latter has one of the densest populations in the county here.
Yeşil Ağaçkakan can often be found in lightly wooded areas around the acid grassland areas feeding on ants. A few Üveyik persist aided by conservation work by the nearby golf course. Raptors include Kerkenez, Şahin and Atmaca with occasional visits in spring by Delice doğan and less often Kızıl Çaylak. In winter check the Alders (around the pond and towards the end of the cycle route) for Karabaşlı iskete and Küçük Huş İsketesi.
Details
Access
It is possible to walk to Old Park from the city centre entering via Brymore Road (behind the Prince of Wales Youth Club) via the National Cycle Route or by following Chaucer Road past the Law Courts. By bus alight at Canterbury Golf Club (Services 11, 43 & 43A) cross the road and walk up Villiers Road to enter the area. This is also convenient for Canterbury Camping & Caravanning site nearby in Bekesbourne Lane. All these points are accessible by car but the best option is parking at the end of Villiers Road. It is also possible to enter from Fordwich following the National Cycle Route.
The circular walking route indicated on the map is about 4 km.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , PondConditions
Hilly , Sandy , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
Spring , SummerBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Narrow trail , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Old Park is heavily used by dog walkers and, at weekends, youths on motorbikes. An early start is helpful. The site is under threat from developers and the subject of a local campaign to save it. For more details see below.