Only 5 people turned up for the month's field trip - we weren't sure if it
was the glorious weather keeping people at home to sun-bathe or the fact that
the grid reference given in the blog would have taken them into the middle of
Cardigan Bay!
Anyway those of us present had a very successful and enjoyable walk up and
down this stunning valley with Red sharing his endless expertise as usual. We
were especially lucky to witness some classic behaviours (most of which Red had
predicted before they happened) - a male Wheatear fanning his tail in a display
to a female; a "parachute" display from a Tree Pipit; a Whinchat catching
insects by jumping up from its perch in the top of a tree; and best of all a
Peregrine defending its nest from a Red Kite in a display of aerial
combat.
Bird list: Red Kite, Swallow, Redstart, House Martin, Carrion Crow, Rook,
Magpie, Robin, Woodpigeon, Siskin, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Great Tit, Cuckoo,
House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Lesser Redpoll, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Nuthatch, Raven,
Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Linnet, Wheatear, Pied
Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Mallard, Blue Tit, Jay, Stonechat, Peregrine
Falcon, Whinchat, Coal Tit, Tree Pipit (also heard: Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler,
Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Mistle Thrush).
(Apologies for the delay in posting this. Bob and I, with Harry, were birding in north Essex and Suffolk.)