On a Wednesday for a change! Ezio and I were joined by Laura (for only a short time!) very new member John G and his friend Jonathan (for longer), plus Mary F, Angela T and fairly new member Scott who all stayed the whole course.
Mostly a morning of listening, and pointing out the different species’ songs as we walked along the old railway line. Plenty of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs of course, with resident Robins, Blackbirds and Wrens all sounding forth. Wheezy Greenfinches were by the Sandy Lane crossroads, and we heard at least three Goldcrests a bit further to the south. We slipped into the fields by the kissing gate and could hear two Whitethroats trying to outdo one another, but never managed to get one to stay still for long enough for a decent view. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing and moving round the hedge line, a Reed Warbler was at the bottom of the field and a Reed Bunting perched on a dead branch, showing nicely. Just about heard a Yellowhammer to the south, then a Lesser Whitethroat rattle. There were several geese in the fields, and by the heronry a pair of Greylag Geese with 2 fluffy goslings. Difficult to see the Heron nests, but two were definitely occupied. No sign of Little Egrets though. Maybe too dry this year?
At Stretham Manor a Cuckoo was calling insistently, and as we headed upriver Scott managed to spot a Kestrel hovering and a crowd of Rooks, Herring Gulls and Jackdaws were mobbing 5 Buzzards. A bit later the corvids and Herring Gulls were all down in fields to the west – not really our patch, but good to see. We heard another Cuckoo and then found it perched in a dead tree, so all got a nice view through my ‘scope. As it took off and flew south, another called from the north, so reckon we had three Cuckoos in total. A pair of Red Kites flew across, briefly landing in Stretham Wood before flying low overhead. A smart male Linnet sang from the top of a hawthorn and a couple more flew over. The overflow pit held 3 Lapwings, a pair of Coots and half a dozen Mallards, including a white one.
Time was getting on, so we came straight back along the bridleway from New Inn, but still didn’t get back to base until about 1. Thanks to all for company and spotting abilities!
All species in BirdTrack which made the total 43. Rather oddly, I never noted down Blue Tit but there must have been one somewhere!
Val Bentley, 7th May 2025