Woodland walks – birdlife
Where to go for a woodland walk? The grounds of Lytham Hall have it all. We love poddling along muddy footpaths. Wellies essential. The fustiness of decaying leaves squelching underfoot. Sweet birdsong rippling through bare branches.
Winter. The perfect season for bird-listening and watching. There’s no leafy canopy for them to hide in or to deaden their chatter. We’ve counted over 25 species, all with their distinctive voice. Glorious. It won’t be long before dormant buds unfurl and bring the woodland back to its leafy life welcoming blackcaps, chiffchaffs and other spring visitors to add to our tally. It’s not called “Leafy Lytham” without reason.
Over the treetops a crow dive-bombs a buzzard. Out on the open farmland mistle thrushes and redwings search for grubs; little egrets stab for snacks; herons pose like statues. A winter wonderland of birdlife.
Woodland walks – the Lily Pond
The Lily Pond is a magnet for wildlife. Residents include a pair of teal mingling with moorhens and mallards. Glance upwards and there’s a heron peering from its lofty nest. It’s a wonder the twiggy platform stays put. This one might be sitting on 4-5 blue eggs. How exciting to be around to witness squawking youngsters leave the nest in May. We’ll be on the lookout.
Where is Lytham Hall?
Lytham Hall is a ten-minute walk from Lytham Square; five-minutes from the railway station. For us it’s an energising 7-mile circular walk from our front door.
What have we seen?
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Coot, Crow, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Heron, Jay, Kestrel, Little Egret, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Redwing, Robin, Sparrowhawk, Teal, Treecreeper, Wood Pigeon, Wren.
I love that Lytham Hall’s extensive grounds are a release site for rehabilitated hedgehogs. My all-time favourite mammal.
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