A long walk , in glorious spring like weather produced a good count of birds enjoying the warmer temperatures. The highlight was discovering a female stonechat. This was observed adjacent to the 7th and 8th hole of Ash Valley golf course. Good views were afforded before it followed the line of a ditch that runs across the course. Other notables were common buzzard over the valley, watched from Bush Wood and 2 large flocks of buntings, containing many yellowhammers (1 party of 25+, the other slightly less) and several male and female reed buntings. 12 skylarks were counted singing whilst 6 green woodpeckers and a solitary great spotted were seen or heard. The latter was drumming in its usual spot opposite the Nags Head. A coffee at the golf club gave 
up the first robin and dunnock of the walk. Goldcrests were heard in Alder wood, although not observed and a single kestrel also hovered over the course. In all, 28 species were observed and/or heard. The blackthorn (prunus spinosa) is now beginning to blossom as shown in the photo. The other photo was taken between Much and Little Hadham, looking north. The brick cattle shed can be seen where I waited, unsuccessfully last night for a possible barn owl.
up the first robin and dunnock of the walk. Goldcrests were heard in Alder wood, although not observed and a single kestrel also hovered over the course. In all, 28 species were observed and/or heard. The blackthorn (prunus spinosa) is now beginning to blossom as shown in the photo. The other photo was taken between Much and Little Hadham, looking north. The brick cattle shed can be seen where I waited, unsuccessfully last night for a possible barn owl.
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