Savernake, then Blakehill purple patch.......

8 April - A beautiful morning in Savernake, frustratingly a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard but not seen. No sign of Firecrests, but good views of Marsh Tits, Blackcaps, Jay and Nuthatch. Pit 132 at CWP produced Green Sandpiper, Curlew, LRP and 9 Shelduck. A quick evening look at Blakehill for Wheatears turned up trumps, with 2 Brown Hares enjoying the evening sun and allowing photos, instead of racing off to the horizon as is their usual behaviour

and, most unexpectedly, a superb Short-eared Owl hunting the plateau in full sunlight - the first here for 3 months - so, presumably, a passage bird. Also Curlew calling and 3 Roe Deer.