Birding with Flowers: 2025

Male Tawny Owl

On Tuesday we revisited the parched wolds - one of the dry valleys with no stream. It was almost devoid of birds. However, there was one male Redstart almost impossible to discern in the initial sycamore trees. The same trees also held a hooting Tawny Owl, which we couldn’t see at first, but on the return journey eagle-eyed David spotted him against the main bole of the tree protected by an arched branch against any rain. During the walk we saw quite a few Yellowhammers, a single Treecreeper & a female Stonechat. The Redstart was the most attractive bird we encountered, but attendees thought the Tawny Owl was the highlight.

Record Shot of Male Redstart

Ditto

Yellowhammer

Treecreeper

Ditto

Female Stonechat

Male Tawny Owl

Eyes Closed

In Hooting Mode

At the Peak of the Hoot

Ground Beetle sp.

We returned to the lowland heathland on Wednesday. This time last week’s Mistle Thrush was silent, but the car park was replete with the song of Garden Warbler & Blackcap.

Blackcap

A little further on our walk there were quite a few Willow Warblers singing. The sandy path was absolutely studded with Faberge-like Tiger Beetles, which eventually posed for both groups.

Willow Warbler

Tree Pipit

Buck Roe Deer

We returned to Tuesday's location on Thursday on what turned out to be the hottest 1st of May since records began.

Male Redstart

Yellowhammer

Archive Tree Pipit

For the final session of the week we visited an estuarine habitat where Cuckoos were guaranteed. From the car park we had Cetti’s Warbler, a Weasel & a pair of Long-tailed Tits busily feeding their nestlings. Marsh Harriers were quartering the reeds in every direction, whilst songs of Sedge and Reed Warbler peppered the reedbeds. There were a few pinging Bearded Tits, but these were very difficult to glimpse until a single pair eventually showed well if all too briefly. Completely unexpected were a pair of Whimbrel heading north.

Sedge Warbler