[SueP]

Nine of us met at the Forest Centre at 5.00 a.m. yesterday (ouch), hearing woodcock and tawny owl from the car park. Blackbirds, robins and wrens were singing everywhere, but it was good to hear a cuckoo, too. Goldcrests were about in plenty, as were chiffchaffs; we counted at least four blackcaps as we walked on. Only a few willow warblers were heard, but we were very glad to hear the insistent song of a marsh tit, plus the usual coal, great and blue tits. A Green woodpecker was calling, and we heard a great spot drumming; song thrushes were heard, too, plus that lovely sleepy blackbird song from several points on the walk.
DB, who very kindly led the walk, assisted by DBo., alerted us to a stock dove's song (I find it very easy to miss); and at about 06.00, the first redstart was heard. There were two - we managed to get good views of one of them in the 'scope - and a tree pipit was singing in an open glade nearby.
Treecreepers (two) were also seen, and a couple of lesser redpolls flew over. (Dare I mention the song of the herring gull, and Canada goose, also flying overhead? Or wood pigeon, or pheasant?)
As we left the trees and headed back on to the heathland, a couple of woodlarks were seen pottering about in the grass. We 'scoped these, too. Heading back, we found a fabulous yellowhammer, singing away, and saw two swallows flying over. Six or so linnets were bouncing about over the gorse, and several whitethroats were singing and displaying on our way back - lovely to see - and as we approached the Centre again, pied wagtails were chasing each other, a mistle thrush was singing, two jays were squawking away in the trees, a sparrowhawk flew high above, and we heard a buzzard mewing quite close by. Sadly, we didn't manage to find a stonechat, or a Dartford warbler. Not this time, anyway.
A big thank you to Derek and Dave for their expert guidance, and for giving their time so generously. Greatly appreciated by everyone.

[joannec]

Great stuff. I thought of you lot as I woke at 5AM listening to a nightingale......then rolled over and went back to sleep.... (actually much too knackered after Saturday)

Joanne