Four red kites, over 30 buzzards passing over and four ravens on the new heath were the highlights at The Lodge yesterday as we reached the end of the month. Two tawny owls were calling mid- afternoon from the trees behind the public loos, and are likely to have young in this area. There are still a few bramblings and good numbers of siskins around; I watched two male brambling under the drive feeders this morning.
The lesser- spotted woodpecker was heard this morning, but frustratingly for Lizzie the warden, not seen! Around 50 sand martins investigated the holes over at Sandy Heath quarry and two little owls basked in the early morning sunshine over there.
We should start to see the first blackcaps and willow warblers arriving over the next few days, It's always an exciting time!