Christine's walking & birds blog

It's a mistake to go back

Or at least it is if you are expecting more of the same; but up on Bagshot Heath yesterday there was no sign of Sunday's lesser spotted woodpecker. Pipits and woodlarks were also conspicuous by their absence; instead there were two compensatory wheatears with a family of stonechats. 

A redstart flew into the dead pine by the stream as we crossed it; but I must admit I didn't notice the great spotted woodpecker at the time.

Army manoeuvres were on the go, but I doubt that was the reason for the dearth of birdlife. I think the clear still nights of recent weeks have been ideal for birds to migrate, with the result that they have been passing over inland sites and getting to the coast while the going is good.