For many years, I have celebrated the coming of summer by getting up at sunrise on 1st May, but I can safely say that I have never had better conditions for walking. The sun rose bright, clear and warm, with not a cloud in the sky, and no wind to cool us down - although there had been a slight frost overnight, so it was still cold when we started.
As I would be out bird watching around my local area anyway, we decided to arrange a Bird Song and Breakfast Walk, and five villagers met me at 6am at Abbots Well, and did a two hour walk through Latchmore, Alderhill and up onto Hampton Ridge. We stopped to hear the willow warbler near Ogdens, and were greeted by up to five different cuckoos. I was particularly pleased to see wheatears in Latchmore, and also a tree pipit singing, but the best bird to find, as ever, was the Dartford Warbler. The last few winters have definitely taken their toll on the local Dartford population, and it is rarely an easy bird to see. It has a short body and long tail, and doesn't seem to fly too well at the best of times, and is very reluctant to fly if it is windy. It also has a habit of retreating into the middle of gorse bushes, rather than try and balance on the top of the gorse so we can see it. So, it was a brief showing, but enough to recognise it, and we strolled happily back along Hampton Ridge towards Christine and the croissants and home-baked muffins.
As I would be out bird watching around my local area anyway, we decided to arrange a Bird Song and Breakfast Walk, and five villagers met me at 6am at Abbots Well, and did a two hour walk through Latchmore, Alderhill and up onto Hampton Ridge. We stopped to hear the willow warbler near Ogdens, and were greeted by up to five different cuckoos. I was particularly pleased to see wheatears in Latchmore, and also a tree pipit singing, but the best bird to find, as ever, was the Dartford Warbler. The last few winters have definitely taken their toll on the local Dartford population, and it is rarely an easy bird to see. It has a short body and long tail, and doesn't seem to fly too well at the best of times, and is very reluctant to fly if it is windy. It also has a habit of retreating into the middle of gorse bushes, rather than try and balance on the top of the gorse so we can see it. So, it was a brief showing, but enough to recognise it, and we strolled happily back along Hampton Ridge towards Christine and the croissants and home-baked muffins.
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