International Dawn Chorus Day

On Sunday last we had an early start for the dawn chorus walk. Unfortunately the weather was not good at all, we started off with the threat of rain but managed to hear, Robin, Starling, Blackbird and Blue Tit. As we entered into the Dell we where able to pick up the songs and calls of Chiffchaff, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit as well as the ever present Woodpigeon.

We had been gone for about an hour when everything went dark and the heavens opened. All the birds stopped singing and we headed back to the langdale centre a lot wetter !
A great breakfast was put on by the Tees Forest which was appreciated by all, tea, coffee, croissents etc.








Yesterday was a much better day and very warm. There appears to be three Mallard families, one pair with eight chicks ( lost one ) one with three chicks and the other with two chicks that look older than the others.
I have found two Moorhen nests, one of which is right out in the open and might come in for some attention from the youths !
Other birds I've seen showing nesting behaviour are, a Chiffchaff carrying nest material, Long Tailed Tits carrying food back and forth, Dunnock carrying moss and diving down into the brambles.