Among some interesting heathland species recorded on the Castlemartin peninsula this morning were at least two grasshopper warblers in full song in one patch of low scrub. Sadly, I have to be quite close to them these days to hear them!
 |
| I could just about hear this one |
Whitethroats were incredibly numerous. There must have been 30+ singing males at least.
A lesser whitethroat was also singing in one especially dense patch of mature scrubby-heath.
Linnets were very numerous too with small colonies in most of the gorse patches checked.
 |
| A lot of nest-building was being undertaken by the linnets this morning |
Stonechats seen today included several pairs busy feeding young on caterpillars.
No cuckoos here today though. During the 1990s/early 2000s they used to breed at Castlemartin and could be watched feeding on large hairy garden tiger moth caterpillars in the heathy areas. This moth species is also probably not as common here as it used to be.