Bircher Common

We will aim to explore the mix of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats on the common, looking for winter thrushes, finches (Brambling and Hawfinch are present in some years) and whatever else we can find.

There will be some moderate uphill walking and the ground can be a bit uneven in places.  The exact route we take will depend on conditions on the day, but we will aim to take a roughly circular route, ending back at the cars.

Directions:  Meet at the small car parking area (SO470667), immediately after the cattle grid, roughly 1km down Leys Lane.  Parking is limited here, but there are a few additional places a little further along the lane on the edge of the Common.  Leys Lane is best accessed from the east; I would advise against trying to turn into the lane if coming from the west (i.e. from the direction…