A chilly day but the intrepid few enjoyed the challenge of differentiating a Garden Warbler from a Blackcap in the first part of the walk.  Merlin was widely in use. The early Spring had encouraged the foliage so it was tricky picking out birds in the tree canopy so we had to rely mainly on calls. Pied Flycatchers were singing all round us and eventually we had some good views and Martyn took a lovely photo. After lunch in the usual spot with the benches by the stream, from which we saw Pied Flycatcher, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap, but no Tree Creeper, we ventured around the long loop known as the Woodcock Trail which was delightful but no new birds.  Coombes Valley is a superb mature woodland with lots of bluebells but it might be easier to spot birds at the end of April before the leaves are fully out. We were told that the Pied Flycatchers were ousting the Redstarts. We certainly didn’t see or hear one.

Members participating:       5

Bird list (25 species seen and/or heard) in the order we saw them:

Pied Flycatcher – Martyn grandy

Coombes Valley woodland – Martyn Grandy

Coombes Valley woodland – Martyn Grandy