Sunday 26th - some signs of spring around the village, with Bombus sp., Acleris sp., Honey Bees active around the hive (and one at aconite in the garden), Common Field Speedwell and Red Dead-nettle in flower. Also of note, a male Reed Bunting had returned to the mid common, first of the spring. Ran the moth-trap overnight, with the highlight of seven moths being a long-overdue tick in the shape of the micro Tortricoides alternella. This is a very common early spring woodland moth; inexplicable why I've never recorded it before really.
Saturday 25th - walk around the village, Yellowhammer in song now.
Wednesday 22nd - another lunchtime bash at Lynford, with at least 10 Common Crossbills (one female metal-ringed) today. Also a fine count of 18 Hawfinches at the paddocks - there have been even higher numbers recently also, a good year for them here. No sign of the main prize yet again though.
Tuesday 21st - popped over to Lynford Arb. again for lunchtime, again failing on the 2BXB but 2+ Common Crossbills again. Lee Gregory and I compared the persistant "excitement" calls of a male with all the different vocal types from the "Sound Approach" recordings (on my phone) and it sounded spot-on to both of us as being "Phantom Crossbill"; I have no idea how reliable this technique is (but it's certainly a cool name!)
Monday 20th - after a report (with associated gripping photo) of a male Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum, I got there early for a pre-work bash, meeting Nick and Dave on site. No luck with the 2BXB unfortunately, but at least a pair of Common Crossbills showed well.
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