Date: 2nd April 2026
Time: from 8:30 a.m.
Weather: dry, cloudy/bright, light wind, 6°C to 8°C
The weather for my visit this morning was not particularly spring-like, not least given the very cold wind, but there were some obvious signs such as the Chiffchaff, Blackcap and other bird song plus the profusion of blackthorn and hawthorn blossom.
I focused on the northern section of the site and recorded 22 species of birds with some excellent sightings. These included 3 additions to my 2026 site list: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk and Grey Heron.
The notable bird records during my visit were as follows ….
Red Kite: 1 seen flying over the northern section of the site heading in a northerly direction
Common Buzzard: 1 heard “mewing” but unseen as I walked along the access track from Larkins Tyres but then the same bird briefly seen as I entered the northern section of the site
Sparrowhawk: 1 seen briefly soaring and displaying over the trees at the far end of the northern section of the site
Grey Heron: 1 seen flying over in a westerly direction shortly after I entered the northern section of the site and then presumably a different bird again seen flying over heading in the same direction
Blackcap: at least 3 singing males heard but none seen in the northern section of the site
Chiffchaff: singing male seen in the wooded area along the access track from Larkins Tyres and at least another 3 singing males heard but none seen in the northern section of the site
Stock Dove: 2 (a presumed pair) seen again in the tall trees at the far end of the northern section of the site
Green Woodpecker: 1 heard calling distantly in the northern section of the site and another heard calling from the central section of the cemetery
Undoubtedly,
the highlight of my visit was only my second record of Red Kite for the
site after my first on 26th August 2025. Unfortunately, the bird was distant and flying away from me
plus the light was poor so I failed to get any photos. However, this is a
cropped record shot of the bird that I saw on 26th August 2025.
Photo: Red Kite seen on 25th August 2025
As I arrived in the northern section of the site, I quickly spotted a Red Fox which was largely obscured by vegetation. It was clearly watching me and then, after I had passed by at some distance, it briefly emerged. Later on, I briefly saw what I assumed was the same Red Fox at the edge of the pond and when I finally left the northern section of the site I saw what I suspect was the same animal again watching me.
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
Photo: Red Fox
In addition, I saw a Grey Squirrel in the wooded area along the access track from Larkins Tyres.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets):
Total species list for the site
Love nature .... act now
