For the scientific names of these birds, and their local status, see our county lists.
The eight-mile Malvern Hills ridge reaches a height of 425m (1,394 feet) on Worcestershire Beacon, including some 20 named hills and about 160km (100 miles) of bridleways and footpaths. The hills attract a good variety of breeding, passage and wintering birds, with something of interest to look at during most months of the year.
The ridge runs along the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border. Great Malvern lies at the Northern end of the Hills on the Worcestershire side.
The northern range of the Malverns is serviced well by bus and rail from Worcester. See the Malvern Hills District Council toursim pages 
for further details.
Anyone wishing to visit the west side of the hills would be best to go to Colwall station rather than Great Malvern, as it is closer and more of the walk to the top is in countryside.
For those with difficulties walking, the Conservators have constructed 'easier access paths' and disabled parking spaces at Blackhill Car Park on Jubilee Drive (B4232 road from Wyche Cutting to British Camp on the Western side of the Hills) and at Earnslaw Quarry on Wyche Road (B4218).
The Malvern Commons are always worth a visit, the best being Castlemorton and Hollybed Commons, near Welland. During the winter months, the eastern segment of Castlemorton Common (Lower Castlemorton Common) transforms into a marsh in places, especially in the north western corner and can attract small numbers of Jack Snipe and Common Snipe. The small areas of coppice woodland in the same area my hold Woodcock and flocks of Lesser Redpoll. Both Castlemorton and Hollybed hold a few Stonechat and Great Grey Shrike has been present in past years.
![[Link to large version of picture of Hawfinch]](/images/gallery/WarrA/Hawfinch20040106t.jpg "Hawfinch at Chase End Wood, Malvern Hills, 6 January 2004. © Andy Warr")
Chase End Wood is situated on the eastern slope of Chase End Hill at the southern end of the Malverns. The Hornbeams at this locality usually attract small numbers of Hawfinch most winters (at least 18 in January 2004). All the usual woodland species can be observed here, including Great Spotted Woodpecker and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Marsh Tit and Buzzard. Firecrest has also been recorded.
Its worth checking Worcestershire Beacon, Herefordshire Beacon and North Hill this time of year, as passage Snow Bunting have been reported in recent years.
Mid March to mid April is the best time to look for passage Ring Ouzel, the prime localities being Worcestershire Beacon, North Hill and sandwiched between the two The Happy Valley. Black Redstart may also be observed on passage, one of the best localities being Chat Valley. This tiny valley is situated below the main track, which runs around the eastern side of North Hill. North and Tank Quarries are also a good bet for Black Redstart and both can be accessed from car parks on the northern side of North Hill off the B4232. Good numbers of Wheatear move through during March and early April and Stonechats should be holding territories by now and can usually be seen at the top of Happy Valley, North Hill, British Camp Reservoir, Castlemorton and Hollybed Commons. During April Tree Pipits, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and many of the common warblers arrive to breed. Tree Pipits can be observed in the Happy Valley and above British Camp Reservoir in very small numbers and Redstart and Pied Flycatcher breed in woodland on Midsummer Hill and Raggedstone Hill. A Shorelark spent two and a half weeks on the top of North Hill in April 1987.
Many common breeding species present throughout the summer months, some mentioned above. These include Buzzard, the three common species of woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Raven and Meadow Pipit. Wheatear has also breed in recent years, on North Hill and above British Camp Reservoir, but both Grasshopper Warbler and Wood Warbler, formally quite common, are believed to no longer breed. A pair of Long-eared Owls nested at a secret locality in 2003.
Mid September to the end of October gives another opportunity to look for autumn passage Ring Ouzel at the same localities mentioned in the spring. Passage migrants can be found anywhere along the Malvern ridge at this time of year, including Redstart, Black Redstart, Wheatear and Tree Pipit. Castlemorton and Hollybed Commons can hold good numbers of passage Whinchat and rare autumn migrants have included Yellow-browed Warbler (two sightings in Happy Valley in October 2003) and Wryneck (last seen on Hollybed Common in 2002).
Can be a little quiet during November, but a few Ring Ouzel may linger during the first week of the month, but this is the best time to search for passage Snow Bunting on Worcestershire Beacon, Herefordshire Beacon and North Hill. Early morning is usually the best time to explore, before the walkers arrive.
Bird species as mentioned during January and February.
. Good for Nightingale.Thanks to Andy Warr, Worcestershire County Bird Recorder, for writing this page, and for his photographs.
Ornithology in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire & the West Midlands county, since 1929.
Fetched from http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/worcestershire/malverns/ on Monday 12 May 2008 12:30:30
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