A fairly productive morning that originally started a bit slow. After looking at the dung pile that produced two
Wheatears, a Cuckoo was heard calling over by the golf course. It unfortunately went quiet and with dog walkers progressing that way I decided not to search for it, it having presumably just flown in and continued north. Two
Willow Warblers s
inging at the top of Hope Gap was promising but the Gap proved to be quiet. Having stood by Harry's Bush for five minutes I was surprised by a 'reeling'
Grasshopper Warbler right in front of me in a small bramble patch, however I just couldn't see it. Despite climbing into the wood and skirting around the bramble, there was still no sighting, so my only option was to lie flat on the ground with a view under the bramble, and after a short while the Gropper was seen creeping around like a Crake, at times showed reasonably well. Back at the car park and all packed up ready to go, a 'flock' of
Wheatears arrived and lined up on the Barn, totalling seven birds. A better morning but still no real numbers.
Totals are:
Wheatear - 13
Whitethroat - 7
Cuckoo - 1 heard
Willow Warbler - 4
Grasshopper Warbler - 1 in Harry's Bush
Goldfinch - 15N - a tight flock
Swallow - 3
Redstart -1 male
two different Wheatears; one fresh, one very worn individual
stunning Grasshopper Warbler in Harry's Bush
