Christine's walking & birds blog

Combe, West Berkshire

Greger suggested going back to Combe and we had almost as good a day as we had last weekend. Once again a willow tit was heard and then seen briefly on Inkpen Hill.

Three wheatears were in the stubble with unknown numbers of meadow pipits, ground feeding today rather than flycatching in the air.

Two redstarts were still present, and still fighting; so possibly the same ones. This week there was no "hoo-eet"ing; the birds were silent, foraging close by as we had lunch. 

Two ravens took off from a tree-top ahead of us; we'd been hearing them grumbling for some time as we were walking, and as they flew out over the valley they continued to mutter to one another. Combe Wood was full of young pheasants let loose for the shoot. A goldcrest was singing on the flinty path down the hill to the road. 

Two whinchats were seen along the track on Walbury Hill.

The wind was a bit irritating, but the day was mostly sunny and warm and the odd butterfly made it feel like summer.