Christine's walking & birds blog

The drumming of a lesser spotted woodpecker was first heard in the distance, and we walked towards it using the ancient trees of Burnham Beeches for cover. Eventually I spotted the probable drummer, high up, its head turned away from us.


Zooming in too fast, I failed to focus on the woodpecker and got a couple of poor record shots, but at least they show it was a female.



Greger got onto her just before she flew - and my grumpiness at my rubbish pics melted away when I saw his delight at finally seeing a lesser spot, even though it had been only a glimpse. I don't think she flew because of us - another bird had zoomed in towards her and then also disappeared. She might have been chased by a great spotted woodpecker as they were also around - in fact, I saw two of these mating. In Egypt Woods, lesser-spot drumming was again heard; and the squeaky advertising call was heard in all three woods.

In past years, I think I've missed out on these exciting vocals by ending my walks here in March -  partly because of the emerging leaves making it difficult to see the birds, and partly because of the emerging wood ants! We both got bitten when we stood still for too long - but it had been worth it.

In Egypt Wood, a pair of Mandarin ducks rose unhurriedly from the stream and flew off without panic through the trees. On our return to the car a crest heard singing earlier (when all I could actually see was a goldcrest) was heard again ; this time I was pretty sure it was firecrest song - and after a short wait we got a brief view of the bird when it emerged from hollies to forage low down in the undergrowth.


A ride around old haunts after our walk brought a little egret on White Brook, Widbrook Common - again, right by the road as we drove past.

By the next day, the mini heatwave was over. It had been wonderful in the sunny woods - and amazingly quiet - but our day out west on the downs, though sunny, was slightly spoiled by strong winds. We weren't sure if these were two different wheatears - or the same one.



In the woods a marsh tit was seen briefly high up in mature oaks.


We took a plant to St. Mary's, Hitcham, and found a new sign in the churchyard pointing out that only cut flowers and wreaths should be placed on graves. Other things will be removed. Well, if they remove my plant they remove it - not much I can do about it. You can't mess about with vases if you live a long way away.

I went through my usual hotchpotch of emotions as we set off north; but I did my share of the driving and gradually calmed down as the day wore on - until, high up near Slochd summit at dusk, a woodcock flew across the road in front of us and brought our short holiday (bird-wise) to a fitting end.