A Walk in Tilmouth Woods

6th March 2013

It was a fine, sunny, frosty morning for a walk through Tilmouth Woods.  We set off to walk uphill to the ruins of Tilmouth Castle, we immediately heard the call of a Nuthatch, & it appeared on a tree branch above our heads the song of the Chaffinch, Great Tit & Blue Tit were also heard. .  As we approached the castle ruins, a Buzzard appeared gliding overhead.  After crossing the field to the road which leads down to the River Tweed, in the hedgerows were Tree Sparrows, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail & Chaffinch all in full breeding plumage, two Great-spotted Woodpeckers flew over head.  As we approached the point where the former Norham/Coldstream  railway line crosses the road, a house had a selection of well stocked feeders in the garden.  It was wonderful to see Great-spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling, Great Tit, Reed Bunting & House Sparrow taking full advantage.  On reaching the River Tweed, a Peregrine & several Buzzards flew over, & a single Goosander flew down river.  A footpath that leads to the junction of the River Tweed  & River Till had warning notices about severe subsidence following such a wet winter, so we decided to walk back via the railway line to the viaduct (which gives excellent views of the River Till, & you are looking down on the treetops!)  It was nice to hear the song of the Song Thrush,  the typical call of a flock of Fieldfares from the hedgerow, & several parties of Long-tailed Tits   It was so nice to hear that the woods are now full of early spring birdsong, roll on the return of the summer migrants!
Tilmouth Woods are on the Berwick to Cornhill road just about 200 yards beyond the entrance to the Tilmouth Park Hotel, a small car park is located beside the old Tilmouth bridge,  the starting point. Strong footwear is recommended