Excellent early morning walk despite the raw NE wind from Brookhouse via Littledale Road, Roeburndale Road over Caton Moor back via Moorside Road. c7 miles/47 species recorded.
Highlights included:
Redstart 1 singing just up from hairpin bend before first cattle grid on RD Road on left in Birch/Oak woodland. Never had one here previously. Also here 4 of 9 singing Willow Warblers.
Just before first cattle grid on left chipping Snipe, 1 of 3 and pair of Redshank. Good numbers of Lapwing, OC, Curlew around along with good numbers of Mipit and Skylark.
On fenceline between the two cattle grids were 4 Wheatears all males. A further pair were on track over Caton Moor.
4 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels where in the bins together at one point.
No Stonechat seen may have been keeping their heads down.
Several pairs of Stock Doves noted near disused barns.
Probably a few days too early for Cuckoo.
Cheers
Steve
