Date: Saturday 12 April
Start: Langham Brewery, Lodsworth
Start Time: 10.00
Distance: 4.7 miles
Terrain: Undulating
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Although a number of birds sing throughout the year, April is the month when we really start to hear and see the return of our seasonal visitors, one of these being the swallow. Traditionally, 15 April is known as Swallow Day in England, and just pipping the swallow to the post is the Cuckoo, who apparently sings from St Tiburtius’ Day on 14 April.
With these birding dates happening within a few days of a Langham Brewery tour and tasting event, and their social media hashtag being #FollowTheSwallow, a bird watching walk seemed the perfect way to join all the dots.
Although this walk is taking place a few days earlier than these ‘official’ sighting dates, there should still be a chance to spot/hear these visitors thanks to climate change. However, as iconic as these 2 birds are, we will also be looking out for UK countryside favourites such as the thrush, wren, robin, chaffinch, chiffchaff, woodpeckers, nuthatch as well as the numerous members of the tit and finch families.
To increase our chances spotting a wide variety of feathered friends, this walk has been designed to take in many different bird habitats – a variety of woodland, common, open farmland, hedgerows and semi-marsh/osier beds. Like last year, Nigel Flynn will be on hand to help with identification by sight and sound, With the trees not yet in full leaf April is a great time for spotting birds. Bring a pair of binoculars if you wish, but the most important tool for the job will be your ears….and possibly the Merlin Bird ID app. If you haven’t already come across this, it is definitely worth downloading in advance. On last year’s walk we spotted at least 25 different birds (although two were pheasant & chicken!). Will we beat that total in 2025?
No dogs on this walk thank you.
Rural Strides
Rural Strides is passionate about the geology, history and cultural landscape of the Western Weald. Through engaging walks, which interpret the land and share local stories, the aim is to help people feel better connected to this area’s beautiful countryside and the inspiring businesses that we partner. We hope you will find a Rural Strides walk an authentic and memorable experience, that will leave you feeling like a local.