Woolmer Forest, 07/05/25

After a nice day's rest, it was back out again to Woolmer to see what was about. A couple of Hobbies were around the pond, and at least two Greylags were at the back.

An Egyptian Goose flew past, and a Kestrel was hovering overhead. Around the cottage, there was very little to be found, with just a few Chaffinches the only sound, other than the normal guns from the military. 

I decided to have a look around in the woods behind the cottage, and a Mistle Thrush was on the field nearby. 

In the woods, a Garden Warbler was heard singing, along with a Song Thrush and Blue Tit. 

Very distantly, I heard a Green Woodpecker calling. There were one or two here for a pretty long while earlier in the year, but they have not been present for a while- hopefully they'll stay this time.

A Buzzard flew over, and I heard the Cuckoo distantly. Also, unusual for outside the perimeter fence, a Tree Pipit was heard. 

Another two Mistle Thrush were on the field near Range 2, with one persistently turning its head about- behaviour I've not seen before.

After a bit more of passing time, the flags were finally put down, so I went in to see if anything interesting was on the heath.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the woods, and I could hear a few Cuckoos calling. 

A Dartford Warbler was on top of the hill with the Queen Anne memorial, but nothing could be seen over the valley, so I went down to the middle to see if there was anything there. 

A good number of Woodlark and Stonechat were present, but nothing of note was to be found. 

After a bit more looking around, and nothing being found, I went back to the cottage, with a few more Woodlark seen along the way. 

Back at the cottage, at least two Garden Warblers were seen, with a possible third heard. 

A Grey Heron was on the pond, but nothing else was about, so I decided to head home for some dinner.