Cracker

It felt sort of Birdy today. After work I had an appointment in Tewkesbury and I noticed on the way and back that there were parties of SWALLOWS and HOUSE MARTINS feeding over many of the fields . So as soon as I could Willow and myself were hot footing it up the road, and yes I was right.Today was one the best days for a very long time, birds were taking advantage of a break in the weather and were streaming north. The first bird I saw was a SPARROWHAWK over the garden, so a good start .The hedgerows were a much better bet today, with 5 BLACKCAP,6 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WHITETHROAT, 1 YELLOWHAMMER , but the best birds by a country mile were 3 superb male WHINCHAT,1 WILLOW WARBLER was also singing. Now this was getting good and it soon became apparent that there was even some vis mig, at least 74 plus SWALLOW and 10 plus HOUSE MARTIN over to the north. Around the fields were 2 BUZZARD, 3 STOCK DOVE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and 4 SKYLARK. It again the top fields that that provided the qaulity with a flock of 8 PIED WAGTAILS showing that WAGTAILS are still passing through, it was then it got even better, first a male KESTREL , then 2 male and 1 female WHEATEARS perched on fence posts and then a stunning HOBBY through to the north ,low and less than 30 feet from me. The final bird seen was a MEADOW PIPIT which is running a little late , but I think that is true of many birds this year. Can"t wait for tommorrow although the weather forcast is pretty dire.