Took the new/old dog for the Downslink/river/Betley circuit this morning. Several Linnets around Lashmars and a Greenfinch singing. A Tawny Owl called from Chates’ garden. Three Lapwings west of the river, a couple of Reed Buntings singing a duet near Great Betley, and a Cuckoo calling from that area too – it then moved further south. Cetti’s Warbler singing by the bend in the river, Lesser Whitethroat singing and Yellowhammer calling by the bridge. Finally a Nightingale in song, and also doing the “croaking” call (does that mean there’s a pair?) between the bridge and the track to Little Betley.

Val Bentley, 26th April 2024