June 5th 2011

The first hour of our walk along the Dowles Brook, Worcestershire was marred by drizzle and very quiet until we came across family parties of Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Redstart. Other sightings included a smart looking Speckled Yellow, Chimney Sweeper and the amazing Nemophora degeerella with there extremely long antennae.

Nemophora degeerella

Speckled Yellow

Other bird sightings included many Grey Wagtail, many Bullfinches, plenty of Great-spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Jays.
The hooting of a distant train reminded us to visit Bewdley Station on the preserved Severn Valley Railway where we spent a couple of hours enjoying the coming and goings of the various engines close to.

Stanier Mogul 42968

Warship Class 42 D821 Greyhound Bewdley Station


LMS Ivatt Class 43106 Bewdley Station

On leaving Bewdley we saw people gathering in a field similar to what we had witnessed last year so decided to be nosey. Parked up and crossed over to the Blackstone Farm Nature Reserve run by the Wildlife Trust for Worcestershire where they had arranged a viewing area for the public to see the most vibrant red field of Poppies you can imagine – just stunning.


Richard