Maiden Castle is an Iron Age Hill fort which situated near Martinstown just outside of Dorchester. I have noticed the layered hill whilst driving on the A35 and had not given the site a second thought until now! I was browsing through the Best Birdwatching Sites in Dorset and hey presto site 36 is Maiden Castle where access passes hedgerows and fields. The view from the top is also spectacular!
The site holds partridges, buntings, corvids, gulls and Golden Plover at the right time of year. I took the opportunity to check the area out for accessibility and habitat that may lure these species into the area.
There were plenty of Linnet in the area the largest flock feeding on the now defunked sunflower crop at the base of the fort. I passed a couple of inquisitive Stonechat on the walk up the hill.
A couple of Kestrel was hunting over the longer grass and a Buzzard was having an afternoon chill out on a fencepost.
A few corvids were present in the fields that sheep were grazing in and Herring Gulls were dotted around the area.
A brief skirmish which resulted in 16 regular species recorded on a sunny but chilly afternoon. The trees and bushes were loaded with berries is this the sign of a tough winter ahead!
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