The Clee Hill bird group was established in February 2012 by Leo Smith with the aim of surveying the local area for lapwing, curlew and other target bird species. No expertise is required, just an interest in our local wildlife.
Surveys have been completed each year along with other activities such as bird song walks, a nest box scheme and a barn owl box scheme (see – Clee Hill Reports). The bird group will also develop other activities and events as members wish.
The Bird survey for 2021 will go ahead. Government guidance is that people still need exercise, and outdoor activities provide it, as long as social contact with other people is minimised. You can’t get much more self – isolated than on Clee Hill!!! However, it’s obviously up to you whether you wish to participate or not. See the Bird Group Report 2019 for details on what is involved.
Anyone who wishes to take part should contact Leo Smith. We need more helpers so please get involved if you can.
The current situation has meant that we have had to cancel any planned meetings. See News & Activities below for latest information.
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Posts & News
Bird Group Survey 2023 Short Report
Bird Group Short Report Oct 2023 Clee Hill Curlew Distribution Map 2023 draft The Curlew results were the most encouraging for some years!!! If you know of any other pairs of Curlews, or the other main target species, please let Leo know ASAP. In 2024, we need to keep...
Bird Walk – Saturday 8th April 2023
Bird Walk Saturday 8th April 9.30am. (Leader: Leo Smith) Meet at Cleeton St Mary Church, opposite the entrance. (OS Grid ref. SO611786). A walk around the local pasture fields (good chance of seeing and / or hearing Curlew), and then onto the common (good chance of...
Bird Group Meeting – Monday 20th March 2023
A Bird Group meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 20 March, at the Recreation Rooms, 22A, Clee Hill High Street, to present the results of our work in previous years, and plans for 2023. All welcome!!! For the last 10 years Clee Hill Community Wildlife Bird Group...
Bird Group Report 2021
This report (see link below) summarises the tenth year for the Bird Group. The bird survey returned to its usual format, after being disrupted by coronavirus restrictions in 2020. We now have a good understanding of the population and distribution of Lapwing and...
Bird Group and Annual Meeting Dates 2022
AGM and Public Meeting - Tuesday 8th March 2022 - Clee Hill Village Hall Bird Group Meeting - Monday 21st March - Clee Hill Recreation Rooms Do contact us if you have any suggestions for the public meeting, possible activities for 2022 or if you would be able to help...
Kestrel Nest Box Success 2021
A pair of kestrels raised 4 young using one of our nest boxes located on Catherton Common. John Plant (a local amateur wildlife photographer) took this opportunity to put up a hide and over many hours of patient waiting managed to capture some wonderful images.
Clee Hill Bird Group – 2020 results and plans for 2021
Hi Curlew Bird Surveyors Please find attached a summary of the CWG Curlew survey results for Shropshire in 2020, which shows that monitoring wasn’t affected significantly by lockdown, that collectively we monitored 93-111 breeding pairs, and only one pair fledged any...
Save our Curlews in the Clee Hill area – 2021
In 2020 the Clee Hill Bird Group report shows 8 Curlew territories in the area, down by 38.5% from the 13 when we started in 2012. Download a pdf copy of the report here Bird Group Report 2020 At the current rate of decline, we haven’t got long to save the remainder...
Swallows and House Martins gathering to migrate
A large mixed flock of Swallows and House Martins have gathered around our house on Catherton Common over the last few days. The house seems to be a magnet. We do everything we can to encourage all wildlife and there is an abundant supply of flying insects. A...
Swallows Using Nest Cup
Swallows in our stable next to Catherton Common being fed. This was first brood (little later than other years) and they used the artificial nest-cup which was put up couple of years ago funded by the nest box scheme grant. Lack of mud because of the dry April/June...
Kestrel Nest Box
Great News. One of the kestrel nest boxes put up in 2018 and funded by the Ludlow Rotary Club “Rotary Cares” is being used this year.
Bird Group Meeting 25th March 2020 – Cancelled
Bird Group Meeting 25th March 2020
When Wednesday 25th March at 7.30pmWhere Recreation Rooms, 22a High Street, Clee Hill Village (next to the Village Post Office and Stores)Details Results of the Curlews, Lapwings and Other Birds Survey 2012 – 18 Arrangements for the 2019 Survey (including who does...
2019 Bird Group Survey Report
2019 survey report on Curlew, Lapwing and other priority species. Bird Group Report 2019
Bird Walk For Bird Song – 12th May 2019
12th may 2019 bird walk for bird song(Leader: Gareth Thomas) Meet at The Novers car park (on the right on the way downhill on the B4214 south from Clee Hill village at OS Grid ref. SO597738). See, listen to, and identify the birds singing in the Novers Limeworks...
Bird Group Planning Meeting – 25th March 2019
Recreation Rooms, 22a High Street, Clee Hill Village (next to the Village Post Office and Stores) Agenda Items Results of the Curlews, Lapwings and Other Birds Survey 2012 – 18 Arrangements for the 2019 Survey (including who does which square) Curlew nest...
CURLEWS NEED FARMERS
Farmers around Clee Hill who still have Curlews on their land are the lucky few. Local farmers have told us stories of marking nests in the past, before mowing, to avoid them where possible. It is clear there is a great deal of affection for Curlews amongst local...
2018 Bird Group Survey Report
2018 survey report on Curlew, Lapwing and other priority species. Bird Group Report 2018
Peregrine Chicks in Nestbox
Peregrine chicks in nest box near to Catherton Common.
Installing Kestrel Nest Box Catherton Common
A kestrel nest box being installed on Catherton Common. The nest box scheme was funded through the Rotary Cares Grant we obtained in 2017.