Completed the Area 10 survey today with Angela. She can hear and identify birds much much better than me and was invaluable!

35 species in total, including a family of Blue Tits in TQ2115, a pair of Nuthatch in the New Barn Area plus a Treecreeper close to the ponds, Cetti’s Warbler and sight of a Nightingale at the Mill Stream, Swifts over Brookside Farm fields plus Reed Buntings and a late mystery returning to 2115 – a pair of raptors with dark brown upper parts in a tree near beehives. Seen only from rear – juvenile Sparrowhawk?

The personal highlight of the day, however, was my hearing “a little bread and cheese” BEFORE Angela and then duly spotting the Yellowhammer. She accepted my bragging very graciously and I feel I could now retire with some honour from birdwatching!