It was a nice afternoon, and about time I went to Woolmer for the first time this month. A Garden Warbler was singing in the trees, along with a Stonechat. On the pond, there were a few Canada Goose, Tufted Ducks, and about 5 Swifts were flying around the pond.
One of the Hobbies flew over, and then started hawking around the pond, giving great views.
With nothing around the cottage or on the field, I decided to head towards the forest, in the hope of finally seeing a Cuckoo. Almost immediately after getting up to the top of the hill, I heard a rather familiar sound, so I set off in that direction. It didn't take long at all before I saw it, finally a Cuckoo, flying towards me before plopping down into a tree. It was calling all the time, then took flight again, along with another bird, which quickly became apparent was another one!
Both were singing and seemed to be chasing each other about. They moved over to the other side of the woods, so I went over in that direction. As I only started birding the area late-ish last year, this is a patch tick for me, and only the second I've seen in Hants. The Cuckoos were heading further away, but a few Dartford Warblers were showing very well up top of the hill, looking over Range 2.
Usually, the Darties here stay relatively far away, so I took the opportunity and stayed photographing them for a few minutes.
There was a Tree Pipit calling on top of a tree, and a Woodlark was also there.
Nothing else was apparent on the heath, so I went back up the hill towards the cottage. The sun came out, flooding the place in light- it was stunning, all capped off with a Cuckoo calling in the background- I was enjoying myself! This photo doesn't do the view justice, but you can at least see what it roughly looked like.
After taking in the view, and musing whether or not to go and try to photograph the Cuckoo again, I decided to go back to the pond and have a look what was about. The two Egyptian Geese were on the banks, although sadly no sign of their young.
Back at the cottage, a Garden Warbler was singing, and even showing pretty well, and a Song Thrush was about.
It was time to go home, so I took one last look on the pond, and then headed back. I was very pleased with seeing the Cuckoo finally, after so many hours of looking for it- and not one, but two!
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