Monday 27 July 2026: Shropshire Birding

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 We started our day with a morning trip to Venus Pools, where we found 25 species, the highlights being both Common and Green Sandpiper. Sand Martins and House Martins skimmed the water for insects, and Oystercatchers and Lapwings loafed on the mudbanks amongst the many Geese. At the woodland hide, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and Greenfinch were all making use of the feeders.

Green Sandpiper

From here we drove to Haughmond Hill, where we ate our packed lunch, before taking a walk through the woodland. A few Siskins called from the trees as we set off, and I managed to find a beautiful, bright male in my bins. Unfortunately an ‘off piste’ path led to Michael, in shorts, grazing his leg, causing him great distress and leading to sobbing complaints that he hates nature! Sticking to the marked paths now, it was fairly quiet on the bird front. However, sitting on a bench overlooking a wet, muddy patch beneath a thick bush, we enjoyed a super flurry of bird activity, with Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper all popping down from the low branches to feed. Best of all though, was a female Bullfinch, a bird Kate was particularly keen to see. We walked for some time through the woods, enjoying lovely views at the top, before trekking back to the car park and heading for home.

View from Haughmond Hill





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