26 members arrived at the car park, two off the bus, and we set off across the road and over some fields on a bit of local footpath actually not known to all! Dunnock and Greenfinch were singing to start with and we soon added other common species, but there was some uncertainly about a Sparrowhawk/Kestrel before it started hovering. Skylarks were singing, Green Woodpeckers were heard, and later two were seen dodging around a small tree in a garden in Failand (also seen there on the recce). I hope everyone eventually caught a glimpse. Three Buzzards were circling together, a couple of Cormorants flew over and some people managed to see distant Martins flying high, presumably Sand Martins. Two Marsh Tits showed well outside Mulberry Farm, just after I had mentioned the likelihood of seeing them. Tanpit Wood was a miracle of Spring with its celandines, violets and trickling stream, and a Blackcap sang from a branch close to the stile at the top. (Nick opened most of the gates beside the stiles, but sorry about the hills!) As we returned down the fields to E-in-G, at least three Meadow Pipits separated from the Linnet flock and appeared in a tree close to us. A final treat was a bright Speckled Wood butterfly on the ground. 36 bird species in all.
Judy Copeland