The Viking Way runs alongside Biscathorpe lake and a series of fields which are in places sand or clay providing a contrast to the loftier rolling chalk wold farmland to the north and east. Around one mile to the west, Belmont Tower provides TV signals to much of the county and also provides a nest site for the most easily viewed Raven nest in the county. Ravens have only returned to the Wolds in the last ten years having been extirpated several hundred years ago.
what species and habitats can you find?
The Upper Bain Valley is a chalk stream that cuts through from the Chalk Wolds into the lower clay “Semi-Wolds” of the western section of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Previous glaciations left large deposits of sand and gravel in the Biscathorpe area which were worked up until the last 40 years or so and have now flooded to form interesting wetlands along the River Bain. These are one of the last places in the Wolds where sand martins retain a foothold in a breeding colony near Biscathorpe lake over which they feed on insects from April though to August.
Autumn & Winter species
Rooks, jackdaws, black-headed gulls, common gulls, fieldfare, redwing, ravens, buzzards, red kites, lapwing, golden plover, finches, buntings, tufted ducks, goosander, kingfisher and grey wagtail.
Spring & Summer species
Skylarks, sand martins, reed, sedge warblers, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, whitethroats, blackcaps, lesser whitethroats, yellowhammers, reed buntings, finches, spotted flycatcher, ravens, yellow wagtails, gadwall, great crested, little grebe, hobby, sand martins and swallows.
useful hints and tips
To see the ravens either park up on the wide grass verge on the lane to the north of the tower or walk up the hill along the lane from Donington on Bain. Get as close to the tower as you can on the road and then look upwards to the first platform to the left of the tower. The annually growing pile of twigs forming the nest can easily be seen through binoculars. Usually from late February to early April, one adult bird will be sitting and the other will be on guard on one of the anchors at the base of the support wires, unless it’s away feeding. Listen out for the characteristic cronk, cronk call as it alerts its partner to its return. As the young grow as May proceeds, they can be seen walking around the platform and the adults visit regularly with food. The birds are in the area all year round, just listen out for that enigmatic call!
Biscathorpe Lake can be reached by walking north from Donington on Bain village along the Viking Way. Check out the mill pond and stream by the watermill as you go past. A great spot for kingfisher, grey wagtail and thrushes. It’s a beautiful walk, take your time and listen out for calls and songs.
facilities
All the facilities are in Donington on Bain.
getting here
The Bain Valley lies between Horncastle in the south and Burgh on Bain to the north which is on the A157 between Wragby and Louth. The section of interest here is the northern part between Donington on Bain and Burgh on Bain. A map and access details can be found on our Viking Way Shorts Donington on Bain page.
dog access
The area is open countryside. Please keep to rights of way and keep your dog on a lead. Do not attempt to enter the fenced area around Belmont Mast or go into the fields surrounding it.
opening times
The area can be accessed at all times.
nearby
Viking Way
The Viking Way route can be divided into 13 sections from the River Humber through Lincolnshire and Leicestershire to Rutland. Starting on the banks of the Humber the route passes through rural Lincolnshire, attractive market towns, the city of Lincoln and then on through pretty villages and along an ancient trackway to reach Oakham, in Rutland. It’s a great way to experience and discover the varied and beautiful Lincolnshire landscape.
Birds of Louth
Not many towns in England have a book devoted to their birds. Louth is one of them.
Well known Louth birder John Clarkson tragically died recently. He was working with Phil Espin on a 2nd edition of his Birds of Louth (2007). Friends and family have worked on its completion. Soft back, 148 pages, lavishly illustrated with excellent colour photographs and written accounts of all 195 bird species recorded in Louth. Text by Louth born Phil Espin, who has written many of the birdwatching tips on this website. The book also has a full 407 species Lincolnshire Checklist. Birds of Louth has been very well received and makes an excellent gift.
Available online from www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/sales £15 (inc p&p), all profits to brain tumour research.
