Whitethroat
The classes have resumed for the birdsong term. We started on Tuesday at a lowland heathland habitat. The weather was beautiful, sunny & calm. There was a Mistle Thrush singing beautifully across the road from the car park. On the walk itself we were assaulted in a pleasant way with the songs of several Willow Warblers. We did a good deal of walking, but it was on the level, so it wasn’t too arduous. A Tree Pipit was a nice surprise, and it parachuted well for all to see. We also had a very good view of an early-returning Garden Warbler - not the easiest species to observe.
Tree Pipit
On Wednesday we made our way to a very steep site. There were Tree Sparrows, Pied Wagtails and Swallows in the car park. We walked down the hill only to hear a Redstart almost straight away, but we couldn’t catch sight of it. There were 2 Red Kites disporting overhead. We then walked along a straight path from which we enjoyed good views of a Yellowhammer. We reached a gate and here there was another Redstart, but again finding it was another matter. History repeated itself after lunch. However, both groups spotted a Treecreeper. We eventually moved on and those at the front actually saw a Redstart which flew right across the field to another high group of Ash Trees from which to sing. We walked half-a-mile further, but when we turned and walked back everyone enjoyed excellent views of a pair of Redstarts. The male was also spotted in the afternoon, and almost everyone enjoyed good views. There were even more birds in the car park on our return.
Red Kite
On Thursday we ventured into Lincolnshire. From the car park we had a Chiffchaff, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Grey Wagtail. The latter was even more obliging on our return. We walked along the main path “serenaded” but the dulcet tones of Sedge and Reed Warblers & multiple Water Rails. We also spied a few rapidly disappearing Bearded Tits. There was quite a lot of winter wildfowl from the hide: Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Pochard, and the pick of the bunch a drake Pintail. We reached the far gate where we observed Spoonbill, Lapwing; and in another field about 50 or some Barnacle Geese.Chiffchaff
