Trip reports
Outdoor Evening Meeting: NTS DRUM CASTLE
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
We moved off into the wood where the trees were in full leaf, giving plenty of cover for birds. Beside the path, in the interlacing foliage of a tall yew and a giant sequoia tree, a Goldfinch was heard while soon after a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed further away and another was seen moving about.
The woodland became more open. A Chaffinch called, a Willow Warbler stood on the top branch of a dead tree while a Robin and a Blue and a Coal Tit were less visible in the foliage of living trees.
A Woodpigeon flew high overhead. We lingered for a while in a clearing, hoping fruitlessly for a Green Woodpecker. But two Siskins were seen, one in a tree and one flying.
In a clearing dominated by bracken we startled a grazing roe deer which bounced away at our appearance. A Jay and a couple of Coal Tits flew off. A Song Thrush, a Blackcap and a Wren were heard. As we followed a deer fence we noticed that the foot of it had been lifted at two places, but as there were no hairs caught on the wire there was no clue as to what animals might use these passages.
On the far side of the deer fence a Song Thrush, a Meadow Pipit and a Willow Warbler perched high on dead trees. We had a good view over farmland where a flock of Carrion Crows flew low over a field. The path took us past a pond, the deeper part being invaded with vegetation and the large shallow part being colonised by tall grasses. It would be a pity to lose such an area of open water.
As we returned to the car park a singing Mistle Thrush was added to the list and, finally, as we drove away a Buzzard flew across the road and into a tree. It had been an enjoyable walk through delightful mixed, mainly deciduous, woodland. Our gratitude to Nick Williams for leading the outing.
Bill Williams