Todwick Environment: Wild Birds
Brian Chambers, a member of SK58 Birders, writes articles about wild birds in Todwick.
SK58 Birders is a local birding group that meets monthly in the upper rooms at The Loyal Trooper, South Anston.
We have over 60 members; club nights always include a slide-illustrated talk and a report on local bird sightings. New members are always most welcome.
For further information please contact Brian Chambers, 01909 770816 or visit: www.sk58birders.com
SK58 Birders – April 2025
SK58 meetings at the Loyal Trooper continue to be well supported, enjoying some excellent speakers and photos this year. There are two meetings before the summer break, with talks on Kruger Park and Tanzania. Anyone can attend, just arrive for a 7.30 pm start at the Loyal Trooper on the last Tuesday of the month. Details are on the web site.
April and May are the migration months with the return of our summer breeding birds. Chiffchaffs can be heard singing all around the Todwick’s area, Willow Warbler and Blackcap have joined them recently with the scratchy song of the Whitethroat usually the last of the common warblers to be heard. All these birds can be seen in our local area, probably the best spots are along the Canal and Anston Stones Wood. Hear the song see the Bird.
House Martin and Swallow are just arriving, both should be seen around our village. Sand Martin are members of the same group, usually the first to arrive but not as often seen. There is a good colony at Brown Bayley’s Lake, see the web site for location details.
Oystercatcher are appearing in our area more often, they are fairly large black and white birds with a long carrot like bill. Two have recently been recorded on Tommy Flockton’s Marsh. Last year 40+ were recorded feeding on the Lindrick fairways, a post breeding flock.
Two birds, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail, are always eagerly looked out for on the area we call Axle Lane, that is the fields between Todwick and South Anston. Both have been recorded this week, Wheatear favour a perch on the wall, the Yellow Wagtail also but are more likely seen over the vegetation, their call is most helpful in locating.
Hopefully with warm sunny weather we can get out and about.
Brian Chambers
Continue to 2024 reports.