Dawn Chorus walk at Skipwith Common – 4th May

An impressive eleven hardy souls met on the Common at 4.30 on what was a bright and sunny, though bitterly cold, morning and enjoyed a walk lasting about three hours. In contrast to last year’s significantly wetter Spring we were spared the attentions of the local mosquito population.

We logged about 40 species (seen and heard) between us, the highlights probably being a single tree pipit and a cuckoo. Plenty of birdsong from the usual species, with several garden warblers being a particular delight, backed up by a supporting cast of blackcap, willow warbler and chiffchaff .

No great surprises and, as usual, a cluster of sightings around the village just as we ended the walk, including our only hirundine, a swallow, plus jay, mistle thrush, red kite, whitethroat etc.

There were also several woodcock roding flights over the car park from about 4 – 4.30, as your leader decided it would be a good idea to arrive even earlier than the advertised start time.

Many thanks to all of you who joined me, and especially to Noel and Neil for their walkie-talkies which meant that, although there were times when we were out of sight of one another, we were able to end the morning as a unified group.

Jonathan