<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society Newsletter Warton Crag
Newsletter of the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society
WARTON CRAG
Spring 2001
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O. S. Outdoor Leisure 7 or Pathfinder 636

Warton Crag is a well-known local landmark, a low mass of limestone rising to about 165m., with some birch-ash woodland, some scrubby areas and some grassland. It has wonderful butterflies, an incredibly rich flora and a good variety of birdlife. It is not known for rare birds (though this may be partly due to lack of observers), but a large number of birds breed and some of our now endangered species maintain a strong presence here.

The parts of Warton Crag with public access are generally south of the bridle path known as Occupation Road, which cuts right across from east to west.The north-eastern parts, comprising Potts Wood, Strickland Wood and the West Field to the west of Strickland wood, are managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust; the south-western part by the R.S.P.B. and the south-eastern part by the A.O.N.B. for Lancashire County Council. This whole area is criss-crossed by paths and widely used by walkers and climbers. The walk I describe is a circular one taking in most of the typical habitats of the crag, but one can easily diverge from it, or shorten it. Cars can be left in the big quarry at SD 492725, the small quarry just outside the village at SD 498724, or on the Coach Road at the foot of Occupation Road at SD 499761. The Coach Road access point is where I prefer to start, since this then takes one through some of the woodland in the early part of the day. The best time of year for the walk is April or May, though winter visits can be rewarding.

From Coach Road, Occupation Road rises steeply with Potts Wood on the left and Leek Hill Wood to the right. This area is rich in common breeding birds and before reaching the top of the climb you should have seen or heard Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Jay and Marsh Tit, possibly Treecreeper. The Nuthatch population started with one pair in 1993, at the NE corner of Potts Wood,and rose to 6 pairs by 1999. Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl often nest in Potts Wood and Raven, Buzzard and Shelduck are often heard. Very occasionally I have flushed Woodcock in this part of Potts wood.

Continue along Occupation Road with Strickland Wood now on your left. This wood is relatively poor in birds, though G.S.Woodpecker and Nuthatch are beginning to use it more, and it can be good for Song and Mistle Thrush. The "road" next runs between the West Field on the left and pine woodland (of Leighton Hall estate) on the right. Jays and Bullfinch are usually found in the edge of the pines. The path bends to the left and from here to the gate is a short stretch very rich in a variety of birds-Dunnck, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch, Long-tailed tit, Collared Dove and Song Thrush were all breeding in this area last year. It did not make for easy census recording! This area was once Nightjar territory; it is not too long since the last was seen.

Go through the gap at the side of the gate into the West Field and continue south along the path ahead, through bracken and light woodland. This area supports numerous pairs of Willow Warblers and a few Blackcap and Garden Warblers. It has also been a breeding area for Tree Pipit until recently and we hope it may return, as one was singing for a week last year. Green Woodpecker and Shelduck are often seen and Woodcock can be seen roding at dusk. At the end of this path, go through the kissing gate into Strickland Wood and follow the path up until the top of the Crag is reached.

After admiring the view and looking for the second Tree Pipit which usually nests in the bracken just to the south, take the path which goes through the bracken,

down a small cliff with a stile at the bottom, then passes to the left of a prominent pile of large boulders. Continue down this path until the top of the quarry is reached. This whole area is limestone grassland with gorse and hawthorn scrub, ideal for warblers including Common Whitethroat and, until recently, was a breeding habitat for Yellowhammer. Turn right and walk along the top of the quarry past clumps of gorse which often host Lesser Whitethroat. Past the quarry, wander left and down through scrubby grassland rich in Whitethroat and Garden Warbler until you pick up a track which brings you to the road. (The BTO reported a couple of years ago that the density of Garden Warblers here was the highest in the UK!)  Chiffchaff are usually present in the woods bordering the road.

Turn left on the road and after about 200m go through the kissing gate on the left, then follow the path through woodland to the quarry floor. Look for the Peregrine and Kestrel which are usually nesting, also look out for Raven and Stock Dove. The path leads from the opposite side and runs parallel to the road. On reaching the next gate, turn left and follow the path uphill (north). The path from the small quarry joins this path near the top.

Continue north, with a stone wall on your right, along the edge of the LCC land, through a gap in a wall and along the edge of Potts Wood. The fields on the right often have Redwings and Fieldfare feeding in the hawthorns in autumn, while Bullfinch eat the ash seeds along the edge of the path. In the clearing about half-way through Potts Wood, look for Chiffchaff and Blackcap, also near the cottage at the end, where there has been a Blackcap territory for at least 30years. Above the cottage, go through the gap in the wall, turn right and come down to the starting point on Coach Road.

As always in birding, expect the unexpected! Birds which have been seen include Wheatear, singing Wood Warbler, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Partridge, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl. Hawfinch, Siskin, Redpoll and Crossbill are occasional winter visitors and a party of Waxwings once stayed a day or two. Roe deer are frequent and I have come face-to-face with a surprised fox on one occasion and a hare on another. I have seen slow-worms, but never an adder.

For the butterfly enthusiast, this walk offers much. Speckled Wood is common in woodland clearings; Peacocks, Red admirals, Small Tortoiseshells, Painted Lady,Common Blue and Meadow Brown are everywhere among the grassland flowers; Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered, High Brown and Dark-green Fritillaries in the bracken areas; Grayling and Wall Brown on the bare sunny paths near the quarry. Early in the year, Holly Blue and Green Hairstreak can be found, the latter in the gorsy areas.

My thanks to John Wilson for his constructive comments. He knows this site better than anyone.




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