The full cohort of the classic Welsh woodland species were detectable from the doorstep yesterday morning, the first time that this has happened, though in most springs all these species can usually be found fairly locally. Redstarts have been around a while and there are now three males singing their hearts out most of the day, including one that sings from the roof quite often. The first pied flycatcher to hold territory since 2014 has been singing since 26th April, and he may be breeding if he's hanging around but still haven't seen a female for sure. A singing wood warbler was new in, and a pair of spotted flycatchers were prospecting for nest sites following the first sighting of a male singing the day before. They're one of the last of the summer migrants to arrive but once back, they don't mess about when it comes to getting a clutch laid.
Add to that the dawn chorus of blackbirds, blackcaps, song thrushes, garden warbler, siskins, wrens, and robins and you have a very pleasant, if not rather noisy, soundscape to enjoy a morning cup of tea.
One sound that was noticeably absent from the medley was the car alarm call of the nuthatch, which was puzzling, as this is a species which devotes much of its life to producing a constant racket in woodlands. The reason why became clear later on when an adult was seen carrying food; they are obviously too busy to sit about singing.
Crossbills have increased in number with flocks of 9 and 16 overhead recently. Exactly the same counts were made at Coed Glynaeron in late April, and it's tempting to think that the same birds are involved, though it could also be coincidence.
