The dawn chorus meeting starting at 5am is not for the faint-hearted and 10 members rallied on a particularly cold morning in the car park of the Roman Camp. A circuitous route was taken with easy walking on the marked trail, firstly through birch woodland and then out on to scarp taking in the viewing point looking north on to open moor.

The usual mixture of woodland birds accompanied us, including blackbird, song thrush, wren, blackcap, willow warbler and chiffchaff, with goldcrest only audible to a few. The open heathland presented what we expected to see, the tree pipit with half a dozen birds parachuting down in full song. There was the added bonus of yellowhammers with one pair actually nest building. A pair of long-tailed tits were seen to feed before returning to their nest site. Linnets were also seen and heard here.

Willow warlber

Tree pipit

A roe deer was heard barking from the trees at the edge of the scarp.

The meeting concluded at 6.45am with coffee and cake and thanks go to Janet Denney for the delicious chocolate brownies and flapjack. Cuckoo and skylark are added to the list which were heard by two members returning to the scarp at the end. Thanks to Tom for leading such an enjoyable early morning meeting.

Birds recorded

Tree Pipit
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Goldcrest
Skylark
Chaffinch
Yellowhammer
Linnet
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Wren
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Robin
Dunnock
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Tree Creeper
Carrion Crow
Wood Pigeon
Pheasant
Heron
Cuckoo

Mammal

Roe deer