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Stonehouse Creek to Victoria Park

Devon  >  United Kingdom

Stonehouse Creek and Victoria Park are both in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth in West Devon.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 23 oktober 2024
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Description

Stonehouse Creek and Victoria Park were both tidal at one time. Victoria Park being filled in and turned into a park in the late 19th century, whilst Stonehouse Creek was filled in and turned into sports pitches in 1972/73, in fact the land is so low lying that both areas still occasionally flood following periods of persistent heavy rain.

(*1), press STAR on map. Stonehouse Creek, The rugby pitches here can be busy on Saturdays especially in the afternoons, a visit earlier in the day or on a weekday may be best. This large open area does occasionally have feeding Tjeld, especially at high tide elsewhere. During intense freezing conditions North of the City, Vipe can be found here also. Following long periods of heavy rain shallow pools form attracting Gulls (Laridae), mostly Hettemåke but always worth checking for the now increasingly more common Svartehavsmåke 'loafing and bathing' in the fresh water pools.

(*2), Victoria Park, the Football pitches here are extremely busy at weekends (both Saturdays and Sundays), a visit during a weekday may be best. The centre of the park is more open but the edges have a good mixture of large mature trees, the park has good wide paths that are sometimes prone to flooding in places. During Winter Rødvingetrost, Gråtrost and Heipiplerke are regularly seen. The gardens along the Southern edge can have Munk, Gransanger and the occasional Løvsanger in Summer, on Ivy (Ilex) covered walls look and listen for Fuglekonge.

(*3). On this (private) early learning site, once the site of a council bowling green, are more mature trees and rough areas of scrubland, listen out for the calls of Halsbåndparakitt often seen here from their main site of nearby Central Park (see separate entry - Central Park Plymouth). Check the old railway viaduct for Tårnfalk often seen resting.

Details

Access

Leave the City Centre (shopping area) and head West on the A374 signed Torpoint (NOTE do not go on A374 signed Saltash/Liskeard/Tavistock), continue on this A374 signed Torpoint road, at next roundabout with group of trees on, take 2nd exit on road that goes slightly uphill. At next smaller roundabout with tall black CCTV camera, take 3rd exit into Kings Road and park on street. For more parking information see Extra Info below.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Park , City/village

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Summer , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Stonehouse Creek has a large car park, unfortunately weekdays is permit holders only. At weekends a nominal £1 fee is payable for all day parking. Note the fans of Plymouth Albion Rugby Club and Devonport Services Rugby Club (both nearby) also use this car park on Saturdays.

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