A local walk

Mount Judd

Chiffchaff

Coventry Canal

Mancetter Church

Friday 14th August 2009

Starting from Caldecote, near the A5/ A444 junction, its possible to take a circular walk using the well marked Bridlepath to the North along the Anker valley. The path initially borders a Sheep field where about 20 Swallows were feeding. The path crosses the River Anker and at this point I heard a Turtle dove, it kept well hidden in the riverside trees. Over the river the path ran alonside a Broad bean field, a small flock of Goldfinches fed on the thistle heads and a couple of Linnet moved restlessly from the hedge to the top of the Oak trees. A Great spotted Woodpecker flew across and a Common Buzzard circled distantly. The path comes out on Leathermill Lane which itself comes out on the B4111 which you follow uphill to the only pub on the route The Anchor(Everards). The pub garden backs on to the canal, follow the towpath back towards Nuneaton to a Marina where you pick up a track which goes under the railway tracks and back to Caldecote via a riding school. Took me a couple of hours at a very steady pace. Apart from the Turtle dove very little of interest to report but it was mid afternnon. The walk has the potential to turn up something. Birds seen in the area this year include Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Whinchat. Other birds seen today: Stock Dove 2, Green Woodpecker 2, Willow warbler, Grey Heron and Chiffchaff.