The incredible birds being found in Worcester's own 'mini Sherwood Forest'

But Worcester is a city full of potential local patches for anyone wishing to get out there and start regular and long-term recording of their birdlife.

With the pressures our bird species are under such commitment and the resultant data is of inestimable value to conservation bodies. Of course, if you are just looking for somewhere to visit for a relaxing walk within beautiful surroundings then there is just as much potential.

So it was that on June1 I decided to introduce myself to an area of Worcester I had not previously visited and without doubt I can say it won’t be the last time I do this.

My choice of destination, Warndon Wood Local Nature Reserve, and the route there and back could not have been more pleasing.

Juvenile long-tailed tit

Although the wood was the target destination, my circular walk of just over four miles also encompassed part of the orbital pedway, Tolladine Wood, the meadows running alongside Trotshill and Grange Way (Racefield Meadow) and Aconbury Orchard.

Warndon Wood is seven hectares of semi-natural wood, a remnant of the ancient Feckenham Forest. Being sandwiched between the M5 and Parsonage Way it is subject to traffic noise but it’s not too hard to filter that out as you concentrate on the birdsong, of which there is plenty at this time of year.

Chiffchaff, blackcap, wren, robin, song and mistle thrush were all singing strongly. With breeding season in full flow, juvenile great, blue and long-tailed tits were begging for food and in one oak, a male great spotted woodpecker was trying to coax his young out of the nest hole.

Great spotted woodpecker at the nest hole

I grew up in Nottinghamshire and spent no small amount of time walking through Sherwood Forest, and I can honestly state that Warndon Wood is its equal, on a mini scale.

The central area is certainly the most mature, with a good number of dead trees or snags which are still valuable habitat for many different types of wildlife.

The management has produced a mosaic of clearings at various stages of regrowth which provides ideal habitat for a diverse range of wildflowers, insects, and birds.     

The city has many areas in which to enjoy birdwatching, from the local nature reserves dotted throughout, to the parks, to the green corridors along the edge of the city and along the Severn. There is no reason why anyone should say that Worcester is devoid of green space to visit, but it is still important we preserve everything we currently have and if possible, increase it and link it together to allow wildlife to spread and flourish.

When you link this with the countywide portfolio of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust reserves, there is no excuse for not having anywhere to go to walk and enjoy the city’s and county’s natural diversity.