Tuesday, April 30, 2019
A male black grouse went flying down the hill as I set off up through the plantation, early(ish) morning.
Several redpolls were flying around, and although this one had nice white underparts it's probably "just" a lesser redpoll.
A high-pitched "kikikiki" alerted me to a small falcon flying over, fast and to the north; I'm fairly sure this was a merlin - and as usual, it wasn't hanging around.
A snipe was chipping unseen from the rough grass on the slope above, and higher than that, beyond the trees, a red grouse called twice and then fell silent. I've now heard loads of red grouse, and I can't say I've ever heard a call that sounds anything like "Go back" - often mentioned by other observers. Maybe it's just me.
Siskins, coal tits, goldcrests, meadow pipits, and wheatears were all seen in the plantation - and there were at least seven singing willow warblers.
// posted by Christine @ 2:24 PM 
