|
The
Axe Estuary
The River Axe forms
the Somerset / North Somerset boundary. The south side of the
river is much quieter and pleasant than the north side, free from
the bustle of Weston-super-Mare. To get to the south side park
at the Brean Down Cove car park and walk along the track towards
Brean Down Farm. Once at Brean Down Farm you can follow the footpath
to the old foot ferry crossing about 1 km upstream. The footpath
runs out and you'll need to re-trace your tracks back along the
same path. The salt marsh here is quite productive.
Regular:
Waders, particularly Black-tailed Godwit flocks at times; Little
Egret; Mediterranean Gull; Raven; Peregrine; flocks of pipits
and Skylark; Snipe; Jack Snipe.
Specials:
Spotted Crake; 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers together.
Brean
Down
This would be an
excellent site if Wales wasn't in the way (and Ireland for that
matter!). As it is, it's quite a good spot for the odd migrant
or two and if you're feeling particularly foolish you could try
seawatching from the end - but you're likely to get cold, wet
and bored!
Park at the car
park at the far end of the Coast Road, past all the horrible caravan
parks then follow my recommended walk or your nose - whichever
you fancy! My recommended route is along the track past the Bird
Gardens towards Brean Down Farm, then up onto the down via the
narrow road past the 'kissing gates'. Never, ever try climbing
the steps - it is completely knackering and is likely to give
all but the fittest birder a heart attack! The steep road
passes some scrub that has held Yellow-browed Warbler in the past,
check out the area around the Wessex Water compound. When you
reach the top you will see that a large portion of the down continues
inland and a small track goes from here through scrub back down
towards Brean Down Farm. The area of Sycamores around the farm
has held Pallas' Warbler and Firecrest. You can also walk along
the top to a quarry overlooking the River Axe and down onto the
Pallas' sycamores. I would recommend heading west towards the
top of the steps where you can gloat at the knackered people who
have just walked up them, and head up the grassy track up the
hill towards the trig point. This area has held Tawny Pipit, Snow
Bunting and Dotterel. On the south side is an excellent looking
valley that's worth checking but the track soon heads towards
the top of steep grassy cliffs -keep following the path that eventually
head back down towards the fort. Follow the road back, past the
small cattle trough on the north side of the track. This is the
area that has held several Wrynecks and a Sardinian Warbler in
the past. The road passes bushes on both sides and eventually
reaches the top of the steps where you started. Going down them
is easier than going up, and this area around the steps has regular
Black Redstart in winter months.
Don't forget to
have a quick check of Brean Beach from the car park, but at low
tide the water sea will be miles away.
Regular:
Black Redstart; wintering Dartford Warbler; common migrants such
as Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler, flycatchers etc.
Specials:
Sardinian Warbler; several Wrynecks; Pallas Warbler; several Yellow-browed
Warblers.
|
