Description
The Walford lakes have kachna divoká, berneška velká, potápka malá, polák chocholačka, volavka popelavá, krkavec velký, stehlík obecný and kormorán velký at all times, with possible volavka stříbřitá, polák velký, kopřivka obecná, linduška luční, drozd kvíčala, racek bouřní in winter. Going south along the railway track there are hýl obecný, puštík obecný, orebice rudá, holub doupňák, mlynařík dlouhoocasý and zvonek zelený, also possible roe deer. South of Walford church the hawthorn bushes are home to pěnice černohlavá and pěnice hnědokřídlá, flocks of gulls follow ploughing activity in spring, the trees beyond the sawmill have šoupálek krátkoprstý. Try the small meadow on the right to see kachnička mandarinská and barbel (at low water) in the river. The rough meadows west of Bollin farm are good for wintering finches.
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust owns small wet woodland, Parish Meadow, by the chicken sheds (Smooth newts, grass snake, herb Paris, pěnice slavíková), and wet meadow opposite primary school at Coughton Marsh, remnant of larger marsh drained in 1960s. Both are restricted access, contact HWT, see map illustration and website below. In autumn large mixed flocks of corvids in the fields.
Details
Access
Walford is on the B4234 south of Ross-on-Wye, easily accessed via M5/M50 moorways. Park at Walford church if no ceremonies in progress. Or seek permission from Homme farms ltd (01989 764328/ info@ecdrummond.co.uk) to park alongside the reservoirs, in which case the car becomes a useful bird hide. take care to not obstruct farm machinery.


