Dawn chorus walk 18th April

A 4.30 start at the village hall before setting off up Brick Kiln Hill to Millennium Wood. Over Acremore Street and round to Bush Wood before a break at the golf club and round the back of the golf course, into Westland Green and down to the village hall via Queer Wood. Some 7 miles in total that offered 38 species of bird. Highlights were good numbers of warblers singing: chiffchaff, blackcap, whitethroat and willow warbler along with an unusual sighting in the shape of 2 great black backed gulls heading up the Ash Valley. 11 of us enjoyed a superb sunrise as we listened to robins, blackbirds, song thrushes and green woodpeckers in Millennium Wood. Yellowhammers appeared everywhere as goldfinches, chaffinches and greenfinches were all recorded. A moorhen called from the Ash opposite the pub as dunnocks and wrens burst into voice.Magpies and the usual corvids were seen, but disappointingly no little or tawny owls called. A common buzzard and kestrel were the only birds of prey.
A super walk in good company. Shall now think about organising another walk, for whole families in late May early June.Perhaps a picnic at Millennium Wood may be worthwhile.
Photos show the sunrise and a pair of lesser black backed gulls at Bush Wood. The final photo looks very strange with a strong shadow being cast across the head , neck and chest of the bird. The one depicting two birds shows just how sychronised their flying can be.