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Timble Ings - A Report by Andy Jowett 2005

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The Woodland consists mainly of Pine, Larch and Spruce with smaller areas of Broadleaf trees. The woodland borders onto extensive heather moorland containing various streams and bogs.

This area has been relatively well watched over the years and has turned up some quality birds. One of the most notable of these was a Great Grey Shrike in 1993. Rough Legged Buzzards were recorded the following year, with one individual being very confiding around Ellar Carr Pike. Flocks of finches are often in evidence with Siskin, Redpoll and Brambling often appearing in large numbers, whilst Crossbills can be abundant, especially in late summer.

During the breeding season the woods are alive with the songs of Tree Pipit, Blackcap, Redstart, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. An evening stroll at this time will yield Woodcock, Tawny Owl and Cuckoo. Wood Warbler has been noted in the past.

Various locally scarce birds have been seen such as Turtle Dove, Grasshopper Warbler, Snow Bunting, Black Redstart and Hawfinch. Two of the latter species frequented Anchor Farm in the Winter of 2004/05. Every year that a Waxwing invasion occurs, flocks of these handsome birds come into roost in the Winter evenings. Thousands of Redwings and Fieldfares can also be present.

Raptors can be noted overhead with Peregrine, Hobby and Buzzard all being seen. Ospreys sometimes linger in the area on migration and Marsh Harrier and Raven have been reported in recent years. Sparrowhawks and Kestrels can readily be seen throughout the year.

The South Western corner of the wood is a good place to observe visible migration in Autumn. Thousands of Winter Thrushes can pass through among many other birds. Rock Pipit and Whooper Swan have been recorded as flyovers. The surrounding moorland holds breeding Whinchat, Curlew, Snipe, Lapwing, Skylark and Greylag Geese and Stonechat can be seen at any time of the year. Nearby Round Hill can sometimes be good for passage Dotterel in early May.