Cross Inn Forest and Bethania

Even on a brisk hike, really big numbers of Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and especially Willow Warblers(70) to be found. Ten apiece of Garden/Blackcap. 3 Grasshoppers north of the road, 3 Sedge to the south. Not far from the main entrance, in the conifers, was a Spotted Flycatcher, the first I've seen here I think. Soon after leaving the conifers you cross a stream(Afon Cledan) which is often a good spot for Willow Tit and a pair were present today. Another was calling 2km away , south of the Bethania crossroads. I got the impression that there could be 3 male Cuckoos about. One was near the Shrike area, another near the bottling plant and a third another km SE of there in a wet area that forms the headwaters to Afon Arth. A Kestrel was hovering not far from a large, open(Kestrel?) box. Perhaps it is one of your boxes Mike? I watched a Garden Warbler out in the open singing an astonishingly prolonged refrain. It was like it didn't want to stop. Like it wanted to squeeze out every last warble. Fantastic. My thanks to Royal Mail for allowing me out on parole for the week.