Explore the array of birds at a National Trust site, near Pershore - The Evesham Observer

Explore the array of birds at a National Trust site, near Pershore

Evesham Editorial 19th Feb, 2017   0

A NATIONAL Trust site near Pershore is encouraging visitors to don their wellies and explore the array of birds in its parkland this winter.

With more than 730 acres of parkland, Croome plays host to various wildfowl, with swans, ducks, geese, egrets, heron, kestrels and buzzards often being spotted soaring above the skies or on the lakeside and river.

Croome’s bird hide, which is hidden away in the Church Shrubbery, becomes home to various bird species during the winter months, but with food sparse at this time of the year, volunteers are being called on to top up bird feeders with nuts and seeds to give their feathered friends a helping hand.

It’s a rare opportunity to catch glimpses of finches, nuthatches, robins, tits and woodpeckers feasting and there is also a spotter chart on the bird hide’s wall to help visitors identify the different species.




Birds such as fieldfares, redwing, bramblings and cormorants can also be spotted throughout the parkland’s grassland, meadows, woodland and wetlands.

Ian King, Croome’s assistant ranger, said: “Creating an attractive habitat for wildlife is really important to us. We plant trees and shrubs which are berry bearing to attract birds to the garden, parkland and woodland.


“Berries are a really important natural food source during the winter, but we also supplement these with nuts and seeds at the bird hide.

“The birds particularly love the giant seed heads from Cardoons, which are grown in the garden. Blackbirds and thrushes also love the fallen apples we leave in the orchard.

“Feeding these birds is really easy for visitors to do at home too, by planting common plants such as ivy, holly, cotoneaster or pyracantha.”

An activity day will be held on Wednesday (February 22) at Croome for children to build and decorate their own bird feeders from 11am to 3pm.

Croome’s park and lakeside are open from 10am to 5.30pm and Croome Court is open from 11am to 4.30pm every day.

Call the National Trust site on 01905 371006 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome for more information.

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