33
day!). The morning was characterised by a
full moon and an extremely clear sky - we
were literally on the Common well before
any Lark!
At 03.38 hr. and for a few minutes we heard
the distant song of a Nightingale and
subsequently this became clearer and we
decided there were two singing. This was
interesting as Nightingales have been absent
from this area since the early 1970's. At
03.45 hr. everyone heard a Cuckoo, followed
immediately by a Robin, and other Robins in
the woods at 03.46 hr. Whilst our ears
were adjusted to the Nightingales and Robins,
just behind us on the telegraph wire a Song
Thrush suddenly burst into loud and beautiful
song. By now it was getting lighter,
although at this early time of day one could
read one's notes. The Song Thrush at
03.47 hr. started other Song Thrushes. We
next heard the mellow notes of the Blackbird
at 03.49 hr. and by now the air was certainly
full of song.
At 03.52 hr. we heard a Yellow Hammer and it
was not until just after 04.00 hr. we heard
another song, our first Warbler, a Blackcap
at 04.04 hr. By this time we were feeling
a bit cold, so a walk around the perimeter
of the Common was called for. During our
walk at 04.04 hr. a Wood Pigeon called,
followed by Great Tit at 04.09 hr., Wren at
04.14 hr. and Willow Warbler at 04.14 hr.
After our walk around the Common and back to
the cars we decided we would probably not
hear any more song - but we had hoped to hear
at least a Chaffinch, but no luck.