A short trip around Woods Mill didn’t produce a Turtle Dove, although one was recorded on Michael Blencowe’s dawn chorus over the weekend We did hear a Cuckoo over the fields towards Sands Farm and then up the Mill Stream we saw one perched on top of a conifer at West Mill Farm with a Kestrel sitting just a few feet underneath it. While we were there , a Mediterranean Gull called as it flew over. Lots of Reed Warblers at Woods Mill, three singing males in the small reedbed along the top path alone.

Mike Russell and Lesley Millward, 6th May 2024