A superb morning was had out on Stanley (and Lynchmere) Common, conducting my third Heathland Bird Survey of the season. Since moving to Hampshire, this site, which is only twenty-minutes away, has proved to be one of my favourite local sites and will hopefully reveal the presence of a Wood Warbler next month.
The previous two surveys I have completed have been very much below par, but now the summer migrants are in, this morning was very much above par. Although there was no sign of the Dartford Warbler seen on the previous two occasions, the Common revealed a number of birds in full voice.
Probably the highlight were no fewer than 17 Firecrests spread over a relatively small area. Also, three singing Redstarts, five Tree Pipits (including a nest-building pair), a singing Woodlark (my first here), 30+ Crossbills, 8 singing Willow Warblers, a Cuckoo and a great view of a male Goshawk were seen. Lynchmere Common was, as usual, poor.
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| Redstart |
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| Firecrest |
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| Tree Pipit |
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| Cuckoo |
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| Stanley Common |
