Minwear Wood/Blackpool Mill/Toch Wood area this morning

Did a first BBS visit to this wooded area this morning. As well as the usual woodland residents it was nice to see and hear my first wood warbler of the spring (only one individual male seen) but hopefully others will be there within a day or two. Garden warblers were also present (my first of the year) in a couple of  scrubby areas. They were easily outnumbered by blackcaps throughout the forest by I reckon at least 15:1 - blackcaps are now pretty well everywhere.

Redstarts were noted to be back at Blackpool Mill (male in full song) at probably their most southerly regular breeding site in the County. Tree Pipits were also in full song in one area (perhaps they'll take full advantage of the large open glades created by recent clear-felling?). Other woodland birds included song thrushes, probably outnumbering blackbirds by some 10:1. A flock of 12 fieldfares feeding on Ivy berries high in the oaks with 4 jays was a reminder that winter is not quite over!

On the Eastern Cleddau there were a few common sandpipers feeding along the wooded shore plus two dippers in usual spots near Blackpool Mill. Here the resident grey wagtails were displaying. The male of the pair photographed being not a particularly well-marked individual.

A lovely morning all round - full of woodland bird song.

Bob