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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 Сіра сова, Кропив’янка чорноголова, Кропив’янка садова, Золотомушка жовточуба, Золотомушка червоночуба, Підкоришник звичайний, Дятел звичайний and all the common woodland species. The more open areas have Коноплянка, Кропив’янка прудка, Кропив’янка сіра and a good population of Соловейко західний. The latter has one of the densest populations in the county here.
Зелений дятел can often be found in lightly wooded areas around the acid grassland areas feeding on ants. A few Горлиця звичайна persist aided by conservation work by the nearby golf course. Raptors include Боривітер звичайний, Канюк звичайний and Яструб малий with occasional visits in spring by Підсоколик великий and less often Шуліка рудий. In winter check the Alders (around the pond and towards the end of the cycle route) for Чиж лісовий and Чечітка мала.
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.