Early March to mid May

Thrushes begin to leave in March and the first warblers arrive. Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers return to breed in the garden, followed in late April by the rarer Whitethroats, Melodious Warbler and Garden Warbler. Look out for Redstarts by the cider press, and listen out for the deceptively similar calls of Cuckoo and Hoopoe. 

Mid May to late August

Summer is the most productive time, with exotic migrants coming from Africa to breed here. Cuckoos and Hoopoes start calling from mid April, and Turtle Doves join in a few weeks later with their distinctive purring. Swallows and House Martins chatter overhead, Buzzards cry in cloudless skies, and on cool nights, the hoot of a Tawny Owl drifts up from the woods. Look for Hoopoes, Red-Backed Shrike and Melodious Warbler in the local lanes.

September to late November

By September, migration is in full swing. It can be worth keeping an eye skywards for migrating Hobbies which sometimes hunt dragonflies in the field. In the local area, rarities such as Crane and Woodcock have been seen. As the weather chills and the trees lose their leaves, our Woodpeckers become more visible, as do Thrushes and Tits.  

Late November to early March

The woodland at the bottom of the field attracts large numbers of wintering Tits, Thrushes and Finches. On a calm morning, up to 40 species can be seen in this one area. In any large finch flock, expect to find Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and possibly Hawfinch or Serin. The compost heap is the best area to find elusive Firecrests, whilst the bottom of the orchard is a very good place for our rarest woodpeckers. 

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