On the morning of April the 27th a breeding bird survey was carried out along the length of the brook using the birdsong recognition app Merlin. The survey started at 5:50 AM and the temperature was 9 degrees centigrade with a fine day and the sun just coming up. The survey was carried out in sections starting at the River Stort. I cannot see any point in just simply making a list of birds recorded because I think that it needs to be related to the habitat and surroundings.
River Stort to Vantorts Rd.
Whitethroat. Lesser Whitethroat. House Sparrow. Dunnock. Robin. Wren. Song Thrush. Blackcap. Woodpigeon. Chiff chaff.
These birds were typically found in the rather scrubby edge to the brook at this point bordering on the allotments with some of them typically the House Sparrow probably related to houses in Southbrook.
Vantorts to Wallen Park.
Wood pigeon. Blue Tit. Collared dove. Wren. Robin. Goldcrest? Great Tit. Jackdaw. Cuckoo? Blue tit.
Wood pigeons typically occupying the higher trees. Members of the Tit family to be expected in the proximity of gardens which may have feeders and nest boxes. Jackdaws are present generally in the area often nesting in roofs and chimneys. Goldcrest often comes up with Merlin and may be a mistaken ID. Cuckoo is a possibility because there is at least one bird present locally and Merlin often picks up sounds in the distance.
Wallen Park to London Road.
Wren. Jackdaw. Robin. Collared dove. Wood pigeon. Blue Tit. Coal tit. Goldcrest?
This section has much in common with the previous and reflect the increasing pressure on the Brook corridor through fences and housing.
Brook Lane.
Blackbird. Blue tit. Goldfinch. Black cap. Wood pigeon. Robin.
The birds in this section reflect the green corridor flanking the lane and separating it and the brook from The Crest. This is probably providing better nesting site opportunities for birds such as the Blackbird, Blackcap and Goldfinch.
Gilders to West Road.
Goldfinch. Greenfinch. Blackbird. Wren. House Sparrow. Blackcap. Woodpigeon. Robin.
The habitat along this section is represented by the thick hedgerow corridor separating white post fields from the New West Road development. This is providing significantly important nesting habitat.
West Rd To the arable land beyond.
Collared dove. Skylark. Blackcap. Chiff chaff. Great Tit. Wren. Robin. House Sparrow. Blue Tit.
This is a good score for just a short section of habitat. The Blackthorn bushes, field Maple trees and Hazel trees are all providing good nesting habitat and it is exciting to be able to record a Skylark singing over the arable land beyond. There has traditionally been a population of House sparrows associated with the older houses, garages and gardens in West Road.
The outstanding bird which occurs in all sections is the Robin and to a lesser extent the Wren which is often overlooked.
