The Old Golf Course is East of Black Swan Lake – originally the golf centre was where the Dinton Pastures main cafe is now, but then it got moved to where the DAC is now, but was a collection of joined wooden structures.
In the very early 80’s Skylark bred on the golf course, Wheatear and other passage birds were quite common in spring and autumn, it was never super busy, but by 1984 busy enough to expel any Skylarks from nesting.
It was always good for winter thrushes and in many ways was less busy than from after golf was ceased, now the area is constantly trapsed over by many, many dog walkers. It still gets thrushes and is probably the best area for Mistle Thrush.
As there are a few Birches scattered about, plus Alder along the Emm Brook, it attracts a few Goldfinch, Siskin and Redpoll in winter, the high point still gets the odd Wheatear in April, which never linger. Collared Doves like the Oaks on the Eastern boundary.