25.
Nightingales at Mill Green - 21st May 1978
Over 40 members and friends attended
this meeting, the majority of whom also
attended the Annual General Meeting of the
Ornithology Group.
Members assembled on the land opposite
the Viper P.H. at 11 o'clock because the Green
on the Common has now been ploughed up for a
cricket pitch. A great pity as it was the
habitat of Adders, Willow Warblers and Tree
Pipits, and has always provided a suitable
lunch site for previous meetings.
In the morning three groups worked on
the Common to the east of the ploughed up
area and were rewarded with the songs of
Black Cap, Garden Warbler, Green Woodpecker
and a considerable number of Willow Warblers.
These Willow Warblers seemed to be everywhere!
It was overcast and not too pleasant, but
at the same time dry. After lunch the whole
group walked through the woods to another area
not visited in past years. One group noticed
Deer tracks and stood by a ditch and all
heard a Nightingale. One other group also
located another Nightingale in the same area
so we were rewarded for our efforts. A Great
Spotted Woodpecker was seen on the ground in
this wood. Other birds of note recorded were
nearly all the Finches, Redpolls, Robins and
Wrens. It was noted that no White Throats or
Tree Pipits were seen or
heard. Had these been
recorded our total (35)
would have been higher
than last year.
M. T. PARKER