A morning walk at Yarner Wood

The weather forecast said a moderate north-west wind, while the group consensus was freezing cold, and the birds normally to be found around the car park clearly agreed. We therefore quickly entered Yarner Wood through the upper entrance and were immediately rewarded with good views of a male pied flycatcher, a glimpse of a common redstart and, soon after, the lesser spotted woodpecker high up in the trees. Calling siskins were also seen and heard overhead.

For the next three hours, we gradually proceeded around the wood, gaining several more excellent views of both male and female pied flycatchers in particular. Other woodland birds seen included blackcaps, chiffchaff, song and mistle thrushes, goldcrests, great spotted woodpeckers, a coal tit and some long-tailed tits.

The heathland provided good views of tree pipit, yellowhammer, linnets, stonechat, several swallows and a house martin. Willow warblers were in good voice but proved elusive. The much-improved reservoir, with its many artificial islands, held a handsome male grey wagtail. The lesser spotted woodpecker showed well again to send us away in good spirits. All in all, it was a very pleasant morning with 32 different species recorded, including probably at least a dozen excellent sightings of pied flycatcher.

Stuart Logan

32 species recorded: Buzzard; Herring Gull; Wood Pigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker; Carrion Crow; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Swallow; House Martin; Long-tailed Tit; Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Goldcrest; Wren; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Mistle Thrush; Robin; Pied Flycatcher; Common Redstart; Stonechat; Dunnock; Grey Wagtail; Tree Pipit; Chaffinch; Linnet; Goldfinch; Siskin; Yellowhammer.