Overview
There is currently active gravel quarry extraction from the area north of the River Great Ouse (Gadsey Brook / Cuckoo Bridge), so there are a lot of workings on site. However, this area and others nearby, can be good for birds.
The area surrounding the main lakes (Dovecote Lake is fished by Blunham AC) consists of sheep grazing and wet woodland plantation, managed by the Forest of Marston Vale.
This was previously known as The Grange Estate and was once a Poplar plantation managed by Bryant & May. Then, it was commonly called the ‘match-stick wood’. The Willington area offers a wide range of habitats suitable for birds. The River Great Ouse and both the new and worked gravel extraction pits hold wildfowl and wetland birds, whilst scrubland south of the Sustrans Cycle route (Route 51) on the old railway line west of the village can also be good. Mature woodland can be found at Sheerhatch in the south of the village, while the farmland along Wood Lane can offer typical farmland birds.
Viewing
For new workings north of the River Great Ouse, access can be gained from the lock at Willington where a public footpath runs north west along the river, eventually to the village of Reynold via the main Bedford to Great Barford road. (See details of Gadsey Brook site to approach from the North).
Taking the cycle track west towards Bedford brings you to Castle Mill Lock. This can be a good vantage point for watching birds if the surrounding area is flooded. For anyone feeling particularly energetic, you can continue along the cycle track, eventually reaching Meadow Lane and Priory Country Park.
A recommended circular walk can be taken from the Dovecote building north to the gated entry to the Grange Estate at TL104501. From there, follow the access track north through the ‘sheep fields’ to the causeway between the two lakes. After the lakes, turn right and follow the cycle track and river back towards Willington village, the path re-joining the main east-west cycle track at the Danish Camp car park. Turn right again and loop back towards the end of the road at Church End, which then leads back to the Dovecote.
Longer walks can be taken between Willington and Priory Country Park (7 miles round trip) or east along the cycle track past Willington Lock towards Great Barford and Blunham all of which can be productive for birds.
June 2016.
Access
Main access is from the A603 Bedford – Sandy road, with recommended parking at the Dovecote and Stables National Trust properties in Church Road. Further private amenity parking is found at the nearby Danish Camp Café, which is also well located for walking. Please beware of any parking restrictions at this site and respect restrictions imposed by the proprietors. Visitors should be aware of any path diversions or restrictions as well as being aware that all other areas are private, and are worked by quarry vehicles Mon-Sat. The Sustrans cycle route 51 between Cambridge, Sandy, Bedford and Milton Keynes and Oxford, follows the old railway line through Willington village.
Birds
Over 180 species have been recorded over recent years although the habitat is ever changing and new birds are there to be added to this list!
All year:
Kingfisher, Barn Owl, Little Egret, Buzzard
Spring/summer:
Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear can be found in the sheep fields in April. Common Tern and sometimes Oystercatcher use a purpose-built raft from the main lake, viewed from the causeway. South of the gravel workings and lakes is an area of scrub near the course of old railway line. In April and May, this can be good for warblers, including Cetti’s and Grasshopper Warbler.
Autumn/winter:
Barnacle Goose, Wigeon, Pochard, Golden Plover. Starlings roosting at the settling lagoon adjacent to the sheep grazing fields can be a spectacle in autumn.
Barnacle Goose – Steve Blain
