GRASSHOPPER WARBLER at Beech Farm

Made a dawn visit to Beech Farm on 2 May and was rewarded with the best view of a singing Grasshopper Warbler I have ever had. The bird was in full view on the edge of a Hawthorn bush at about 5 metres range close to the public footpath running across the area. When singing it was possible to see that the whole bird including the tail was vibrating from the effort put into the song.

Also heard singing were Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler but I failed to locate Lesser Whitethroat which have been seen in the area this year. At least two Cuckoos were around, one was well seen in flight calling and a drake Mandarin was on the small lake adjacent to Home Covert (Alan Gardiner)