Looking for Yellowhammers where we saw and heard 2 competing males last year I was disappointed but that was shortlived as a small group of passerines flew into two of the only remaining bushy trees in the hedgeline: Redstart,(my first for the year)Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and 3 Meadow Pipits. Odd passing Swallows flying swiftly onward may have paused on a wire near the MOD land which had a close group of around 30 which was a pleasure to see. There are skylarks on the arable fields in this area but quite what chance they have of fledging young is anyone's guess caught as they are between the tractor wheels, cutters and crows. Already silage is being taken from the leys which are lifeless though the close trimming of banks has produced a mass flowering of violets, stitchwort and vetch amongst others, just a pity any nesting bushes on the tops have been sliced off at the root.