Trip reports
Horner Woods - 10 May 2009
Friday, 29 May 2009
Several smart grey wagtails were seen with one female having a full beak of insects, no doubt bound for a hungry brood of chicks somewhere along the watercourse. A quick glimpse of a dipper gave the basis of a fine bird list today.
The mixed deciduous trees at Horner are a magnet for breeding summer visitors and it wasn't long before the scratchy call of a pied flycatcher was heard. A black and white male was located in the tree tops and although constantly on the move, presented good views of itself to all those present.
Further back in the wood several redstarts were heard singing, but not one was seen. It was different however with the wood warblers. Their sweet trilling song could be heard all around and several really good views were obtained of this aptly named essentially woodland bird.
Larger and more brightly coloured than the willow warbler, the wood warbler has a green back and a lovely yellow breast that changes to pure white under the belly.
Willow warblers, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, and a garden warbler were all heard and other woodland species noted included wren, song thrush, nuthatch and goldcrest.
Reaching the road at the ford, the long slog up the hill to Webber's Post was interrupted on several occasions with sightings of various birds. At one point, the distant call of a cuckoo echoed across the valley and eventually was located sitting on top a a bush on the far horizon. Over many years now there has been a widespread decrease in the cuckoo population, due it is thought to the destruction of much of its hedgerow habitat and a succession of colder and wetter springs.
The descent back down to Horner car park gave chances to see distant soaring buzzards and more of the tits and finches that made up the days tally.