Wood Warblers are back at some expected territories, a few males were trilling away and visiting the ground at some likely nest-sites. Hopefully by next weekend most of their usual territories will be occupied.
Tree Pipits were singing well in one clearing and a garden warbler was singing in nearby scrub.
The total number of willow warblers recorded along the transect route was the highest here for a few years which was nice to see and hear. Mistle Thrushes too seem to be doing well in the area this spring - several singing males were noted and at least two pairs were feeding young.
Siskins were collecting nest-material near the picnic site - this being quite a good spot to see them well first thing in the morning. Judging by the song, there seemed to be a reasonable number of reed warblers over in the Slebech reed-bed.
A distant high flying (presumed male) red kite was on full alert - displaying and stooping at a male sparrowhawk (which was also displaying high over the forest) and also giving the local raven and a passing heron a bit of a hard time.
A nice range of woodland species anyway and a lovely sunny morning to absorb it all.
