14 members enjoyed an excellent trip and in good weather too. A Grey Wagtail in the stream made for an excellent start but Lawrence Field Moor was largely quiet with the exception of omnipresent Willow Warblers serenading us and a Stonechat spotted by the back markers. Upon dropping down to the head of the gorge, we heard then saw a Tree Pipit performing its typical parachute descent into a tree. Traversing the top of the gorge
Tree Pipit showing its finer flank streaks compared to a Meadow Pipit
there were plenty of Tree Pipits singing, but no sight or sound of Redstarts, which indeed was the case during our visit to this area. However, the constant calling of a Cuckoo tempted 2 members to stray to the edge of the birch grove where they were lucky enough to see 2 cuckoos fly past.
Once down in the gorge, there were plenty of sightings of both male and female Pied
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- Female Pied Flycatcher posing on the track
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- Female Pied Flycatcher
Flycatchers and a few Tree Creepers too with one pair nest building.
Scanning for Flycatchers
A reduced group then went to Barbrook where Andrew marched us off to get excellent views of Whinchats. Then followed an argument about the difference between the song of a Blackcap and Garden Warbler with Merlin finally acting as a referee. Finally into the plantation where at long last we had sightings of both male and female Redstarts.
Male Whinchat
28 species identified – photos thanks to A Slater. J Jankinson & M Kaye