Philorth Halt to Rathen: Wildlife Corridor

During the last few days the importance for wild birds of the habitat provided by the Line has become increasingly evident. The uncut vegetation along the trackway now has many ripe seed heads which attract a considerable range of birds. In the short section above broom, gorse knapweed, rosebay willowherb, spear thistle, rose hips burdock and various grasses dominate. There are also willows and occasionally sycamore, hawthorn and apple.

 At present the Line is teeming with bird life. This afternoon we watched a charm of goldfinches feasting on burdock seeds, siskins and a large flock of greenfinches enjoying the willowherbs. A robin, wrens, bluetits, tree sparrows and blackbirds, crows, rooks and assorted gulls were also present. Skeins of geese were constantly passing overhead, a few days ago an elegant line of six swans flew in from the sea.







Late flowering pink campion



There are frequently buzzards mewling as they wheel high over the woods at Carinbulg Castle and foolish pheasants crash about in the grass land. This damp  area is also home to curlews and lapwings. A pair of roe deer graze the fields close to the castle.