Old Railway Cutting walk

Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting early this morning, and heard a good number of birds singing: Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Skylark, Chiffchaff and, for the first time this season, Blackcap. 

Between the footpath and the Hildersham parish boundary, there appeared to be three singing male Chiffchaff and two male Blackcap, each staking out a territory and hoping to attract a mate. 

Several Skylark were seen and heard singing whilst hovering high above the fields, and down below a Magpie was spotted collecting nesting materials. 

The Blackthorn was starting to flower well, and old Thistle heads seemed to shine in the early morning light.

Chiffchaff singing

Chiffchaff feeding on a fly

A Chiffchaff in the flowering Blackthorn - a very early spring combination!

 Chaffchaff 

A Magpie with some twiggy nest materials 

  

 Male Blackcap

 A Skylark athletically sings continuously whilst hovering above the field

 Blackthorn

 Blackthorn

Last year's Thistle heads shining in the sun