Louth Lud Valley Birdwatching

Its easiest to park in a town centre car park and walk to Westgate Fields along Westgate, checking out the church spire for peregrine as you go past, and on your way back. At Westgate Fields walk along the river side and watch the river and small mill lake for teal, gadwall, kingfisher and grey wagtail. A little further on the alder trees around the river provide great winter feeding for tit and finch flocks and are worth scrutinising for siskin, redpoll, treecreeper and nuthatch though goldfinch and chaffinch are much commoner. At the far end of Westgate Fields turn right and walk along the river to Hubbards Hills. At the entrance there are toilets a car park and a delightful café which remains true to its Edwardian roots. The farmhouse adjacent has a front garden feeding station which is great for nuthatch and stock dove. The lake in Hubbards Hills is always worth a look for mainly mallard and moorhen but also mandarin occasionally and grey wagtail regularly.  Walk to the far end of the hills along the river and choose to walk back up the stairs to the left along the top of the valley or explore the footpaths into the Wolds further around Hallington and Raithby. Return back the way you came and perhaps stop off at the Wheatsheaf Pub at the church end of Westgate where you can sit outside at the back with a well earned pint and watch for peregrines. Peak time is February to July but they are present all year round.

If you miss kingfisher above Louth walking out of town east along James Street and Ramsgate to Riverhead and along the canal up to 2 miles out of town as far the Sewage Treatment works should boost your chances especially in September to March. They are much easier to see out of the breeding season.