Spring morning in the Forest.......

26 Apr - a cool but sunny and (initially at least) fairly calm morning in the Forest of Dean, where the leaves are just emerging. An area of deciduous woodland held 3-4 singing Wood Warblers, and I had good views of a couple of these birds with their attractive green upper parts and yellow throat. Best of all is the shivering song which seems to epitomise the western oak woods. Open heath at Crabtree held several singing Tree Pipits. Moving on to Speech House, the tall spruces produced a singing Firecrest which showed well. An hour at Nagshead Lower Hide added a pair of Pied Flycatchers and a male Redstart. All in all a very successful morning, with all the specialities of the Forest seen.