VISITOR INFORMATION
Sites and access
JOHN ROBINSON
by Rob Fray
Why?
An early spring visit to this large area will
not only guarantee excellent views of
woodland species, but also provide good
opportunities to find some special birds
such as Goshawk, Woodlark, Great Grey
Shrike and Hawfinch.
Overview
Sherwood Forest has long been associated
with the myths and legends of Robin Hood,
and although much of the original forest
has disappeared, the current landscape is a
wonderfully varied mix of old deciduous
woodland, parkland, lakes and heathland.
Birds
Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, Scaup,
Smew, Goosander, Great Northern Diver,
Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Common Buzzard,
Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted and
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Woodlark,
Willow and Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, possibility
of Great Grey Shrike, Jay, Raven, Brambling,
Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill,
Hawfinch.
Where to go
There are many sites worth visiting in
Sherwood Forest, but for an early spring
excursion the following provide the best
chance of locating the specialities of the area.
Clumber Park is the logical starting point.
From the A1/A57/A614 roundabout three miles
east of Worksop, take the A614 south for half
a mile and turn west into the park through a
stone archway (SK 645772). After two miles
turn south to the car park (SK 622742).
The major attraction here is the elusive
Hawfinch, which is best looked for in the stand
of yews and hornbeams behind the chapel;
up to 25 birds have been seen regularly this
winter. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker also
inhabits this area, and early spring, when they
are at their most vocal, is the best time to
locate them.
Other woodland birds include Great
Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Jay, while
both Marsh and Willow Tits are present.
Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and
Common Crossbill are usually found during
the winter and early spring, although their
numbers vary each year.
Another attraction is the lake, where
WWW.BIRDWATCH.CO.UK
Britain’s largest finch, Hawfinch, can be
difficult to see. Clumber Park, within
Sherwood Forest, is an excellent site.
wildfowl include Egyptian Goose, Mandarin
Duck and a wintering flock of Goosander;
scarcer species recently have included Great
Northern Diver, Scaup and Smew.
Early mornings are recommended,
particularly if searching for Hawfinches, as
disturbance can become a problem later in
the day.
On leaving the western end of Clumber
Park, go over the crossroads at Carburton to
the Welbeck Estate. There are two suitable
parking spots along this road: an obvious area
north of the road (SK 590721) and a more
limited place by the monument (SK 583720).
This site is best known for its summering
Honey Buzzards, although early spring is not
without its rewards; scan north beyond the
lake for Common Buzzard, Raven and, with
luck, Goshawk.
Budby Common, to the south of Welbeck, is
a traditional wintering site for Great Grey Shrike.
Leave Budby north-west on the A616 and join
the B6034 at the two small roundabouts just
outside the village. The main area of heath is on
the left after half a mile (SK 612714). Although
not recorded every winter, it is definitely worth
searching for a shrike here. In addition, the
heath often has roaming flocks of Siskins,
Lesser Redpolls and Common Crossbills, while
raptors such as Merlin, Peregrine and Hen
Harrier occasionally put in an appearance.
If time allows, Rufford Country Park is
worth a visit. Head south from Ollerton on the
A614 and the entrance is on the left after two
miles (SK 643647). Both Hawfinch and Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker are regularly seen
around the car park.
A recent success story for Sherwood
Forest has been the resurgence of Woodlark;
a thriving population now makes use of the
various heathlands, where they return as early
as February. Familiarise yourself with the song
and check any suitable-looking area. ■
Reads
Where to Watch Birds in the East
Midlands by Rob Fray (second
edition, Christopher Helm,
£16.99) – order on page 49.
Bird news
For the latest news and to report sightings
visit the Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers
website at www.nottsbirders.net.
Maps
OS maps: Explorer 270 and Landranger 120
(www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk).
Contact
County recorder: Andy Hall, 10 Staverton
Road, Bilborough, Nottingham NG8 4ET
(tel: 0115 9169673; email:
[email protected]).
Birding nearby
• Lound Gravel Pits (SK 7086) for wildfowl
(including wild swans) and waders.
• Idle Valley (SK 7094) for wintering wild
swans and farmland birds.
Accommodation
Check www.visitnottingham.com for
accommodation options in the area.
Food and drink
Clumber Park has a café and shop which
are open every day. Otherwise there are
numerous restaurants, pubs and take-away
outlets in the nearby towns of Worksop and
Retford.
In association with
Christopher Helm.
For more information on
Christopher Helm books,
please visit the website:
www.acblack.com/christopherhelm
MARCH 2010 • BIRDWATCH
19
MAPPING REPRODUCED WITH THE PERMISSION OF
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS (WWW.COLLINSBARTHOLOMEW.COM)
Sherwood
Forest
Clumber Park is open all year. A £5 charge
applies to cars. A café, shop and toilets are
located at the car park. Many of the paths and
tarmac roads are suitable for wheelchair
users; wheelchairs can be borrowed from the
cycle hire centre. The Welbeck Estate is
private and should only be viewed from the
road, where the verge is wide enough for
wheelchair users. Budby Common is a military
area and visitors should keep to footpaths at
all times. Buses from Nottingham stop at
Worksop and Carburton; for timetables visit
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/timetables.
The nearest railway stations are at Worksop
and Retford.