30/4/20 Wharncliffe Chase (south)

I was on the Chase from 6.30 and there was a cold wind from the S/W direction. As I left around 8.30 it was trying to brighten up.

The 3 Dotterel (2m, 1f) we’re feeding in their original spot. 2 Snipe chipped behind us within 50 mts of each other. I’ve never had them stay so long so I assume breeding is underway. Skylarks were everywhere (30+) and the total Linnet count was good at c.22.

Following a circular route, there were 10+ Wheatear, a Redstart sang in Pales Wood, a Cuckoo called and was seen several times here plus (a presumed) another one called further south on the border of Greno Woods.

I recorded at least 6 Tree Pipit singing along the SW edge (A.Hill had 10+ earlier), a Grasshopper Warbler reeled intermittently and a Common Whitethroat was new for the year singing near HH Farm where a pair of Swallows we’re back on territory.

Also, 8 Lapwing, Curlew, 4 Stock Dove, 9 Goldfinch, a male Reed Bunting, plenty of Meadow Pipits, Buzzard, Kestrel and a sub-adult Lesser black-backed Gull drifted south.