The morning after

After a long search yesterday, it was back to it this morning, although I forgot to mention a couple of things from yesterday, there were good numbers of butterflies of 6 species the most numerous being Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone with at least 5or 6 of each. Also there were 2 Little Owls just behind the veg garden.
Back to today, I decided against moths today and concentrate on birds, there were 5 new moths for this year though, which means I've lost track of the total so far! I'll check with Steve Broyd but it's over 40 species.
My first stop, next to the old orchard on the entrance lane, gave me great views of a male REED BUNTING and I could hear a BLACKCAP nearby, also here, the first of several MEADOW PIPITS flew north, needless to say there was no sign of the Hoopoe. My next stop was the car park and the field above it (sort of above!), a CORMORANT went high east and a SPARROWHAWK displayed over the wood, otherwise I could hear NUTHATCH, MISTLE THRUSH and several WRENS and a SKYLARK was high above me as I looked towards Hemsted Forest.

Heading into the woods via the lake, I added several LINNET, 2 JAYS, 3 MALLARD in the sheep field and a calling GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Next to the lake a newly arrived WILLOW WARBLER was singing and the GREYLAGS were joined by 2 CANADA GEESE. I finished the walk by heading back to the entrance road then back across Park Field, a YELLOWHAMMER sang from a hedge by the lane a BULLFINCH called from the edge of the wood, finally 1 COMMON GULL drifted south, so still no Hoopoe, Stephen was out looking as well this morning but the phone didn't ring!!

One of yesterdays Wheatears

The Wood Anemones look great at the moment.