Starting the day at Arcot Pond,a Lesser Whitethroat sang in clear view. Other songsters included Whitethroats, Willow Warblers,a Sedge Warbler,a Grasshopper Warbler and Linnets. A pair of Bullfinches and a pair of Common Terns were noteworthy.
Heading up to Beacon Hill,I spotted a pair of Redstarts feeding young in a tree hole, allowing for some nice photo opportunities . The pair bringing food in at frequent intervals,unconcerned at my presence. A Garden Warbler sang nearby and 2 pairs of Spotted Flycatchers noted. A Cuckoo called from the heath and Tree Pipit displayed. Redpolls were common here, with up to ten seen and 3 further male Redstarts noted. A few Yellowhammers and Skylarks sang nearby. Willow Warblers,busy nesting were quieter now but several males still sang. On to Wingates where the common birds were Tree Pipit,Willow Warbler,Whitethroat ,Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, with several of each being observed. Garden Warbler heard here too.
The rest of my day was spent in and around the Simonside hills and was to prove very productive indeed. A family group of Crossbills were feeding in a conifer wood and 2 Pairs of Spotted Flycatchers did the same . I was photographing one pair , the male of which was constantly bring in insects to his perched mate,when a splendid Long eared Owl flew a short way through the trees above my head. It perched, but soon moved further through the wood as soon as it saw me below. A pair of Mistle Thrushes then mobbed it. As I returned to the car for some lunch and to enjoy the many singing Skylarks, a small raptor appeared over the wood,circling . A fabulous Hobby! A real bonus. As it gained height and drifted away over the wood,I could see the white throat and black moustache and red “trousers” . It then headed across the adjacent fell and out of view. After lunch I walked a circuit of the moors, enjoying around 20 singing Skylarks . Here too is a good population of Meadow Pipits,with many displaying and some with young, not to happy at my presence. Single Whinchat and Wheatear,several Red Grouse and a Buzzard seen and 3 Cuckoos called ,one seen well. Tree Pipit,Redpolls,Siskin and Reed Bunting were among the other species here.Also here, a total of 7 Hares seen in the area ,including 3 leverets on a road.
A.S.Jack
