SS15 wildlife watching: Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas

Thursday 13 April 2023

Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 13th April 2023

Date: 13th April 2023

Time: from 6:45 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, moderate wind, 7°C to 9°C

After the excitement of yesterday, I had a further visit this morning, specifically to try and see the Willow Warbler and Firecrest.

I accessed the site as usual via the track from Larkins Tyres. From the wooded clearing at the end of the track, I took the short walk through the trees to the fence, my regular watchpoint overlooking the field, scrub, hedges and trees in the north of the site. I spent some time here and walking around the northern section of the site. I did not visit the remainder of the site.

The male Willow Warbler was again singing sporadically but once more I still failed to locate it. There was no sign of the Firecrest.

During this visit, I failed to see a Common Buzzard, unlike on my 5 previous visits but, following the sighting yesterday yesterday, I again saw a Sparrowhawk flying through.

Photo: Sparrowhawk

Greenfinches have been very evident on recent visits but this morning I only occasionally heard them and only had a brief view of a single bird flying.

Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were also less evident around the northern section of the site than on previous visits. I only saw 1 singing male Chiffchaff although I heard at least 5 other singing males and saw a single non-singing/calling bird. I only heard 1 singing male Blackcaps.

I heard a calling Green Woodpecker again in the northern section of the site but on this visit I failed to see it.

I did not see any Red Foxes this morning but for the second successive visit I did see a single Reeves’ Muntjac and 3 Grey Squirrels in the northern section of the site.