On a balmy evening, nine of us met at Speech House Car Park at 20:00 to look for Nightjars on Crabtree Hill.
Passing the pool a few House Martins and a Swallow aroused our first interest. Many Song Thrushes were seen, especially a juvenile giving close views. We turned right at the cattle pen, but two women were missing. They had been looking for a Siskin, successfully, and a Spotted Flycatcher they’d heard. Moving on, the youngest member of our group, with great excitement, picked out a pair of Crossbillsl. At the same point we had three Linnets and our first Stonechat. Walking up to the top of the hill, Whitethroat was first heard and then seen, and a Blackcap. Arriving at the top early, we went through to look at old mine works and the view to Cinderford, where the music of an event was loud and clear. A Buzzard was disturbed, our only raptor of the day. Back at the view point for Nightjars the music faintly entertained while we waited. First to be heard were more Stonechat. Then the low churring of our first Nightjar, a thrill as always. Altogether, three birds were heard and one seen. The hill is overgrown, which is bad for Nightjars, and the dearth of insects, especially midges, was striking, explaining the missing pipits. Our 24 species included Swift, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. (Thanks to Robert for leading). Robert Hargreaves