8 members enjoyed a fabulous morning’s birding in pleasant conditions. Starting at 08:30 before picnic parties and dog walkers had arrived, we started brilliantly with a distant view of a Whinchat and this was followed in a short space of time with loads (new collective noun) of Buzzards and a Cuckoo. The latter was perched upon a fence with its attendant Meadow Pipits on either side. We then had views of of a Tree Pipit and after a great deal of effort from the assembled gathering, a view of a Redstart. Fortunately this was followed later on by better views of several Redstarts. Birding at this time of year in these ‘mountain’ oak forests is a made a good deal easier with little or no leaf growth but clearly, this opportunity wasn’t going to last much longer. By accident we also stumbled upon a Tree Creepers nest (not literally) with a pair of birds flitting in and out. During the remainder of our morning walk we encountered more common woodland birds and ‘shed loads’ (another new collective noun) of Pied Flycatchers.
The afternoon was spent up Burbage Brook and in complete contrast to the morning, was met with virtually no success. At best we could merely say that we may have seen a Ring Ouzel in flight.
Photos thanks to Brian Burch.
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- Whinchat
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- Redstart
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- Pair of Tree Creepers
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- Male Pied Flycatcher
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- female Pied Flycatcher