Deer Stalker

Started off from Cadman's Pool first thing this morning. Went the usual route - down through Anses Wood, along the Dockens Water, up to Sloden, Alderhill Inclosure, Ashley Cross, Hampton Ridge & then back round the outside of Sloden Inclosure.
The sky was clear with a few clouds & a cold breeze.

Highlights were a pair of Ravens flying over Hollyhatch Inclosure, a few Hawfinches in some Alder trees by the stream & my first Tree Pipits of the year singing from the...

Up Mark Ash Wood at dawn at 6.30am this morning. It was very dark with thick grey cloud overhead & a cold wind.
The usual Blackbirds, Robins & Song Thrushes were singing along with Chaffinches, Treecreepers, Great Tits, Goldcrest, Hawfinch & my first Redstarts & Blackcap of the year.
I walked through Anderwood Inclosure down towards Blackensford Brook. A roe buck was back in the trees, still in tatters.
Along the stream I was looking at the hazel leaves...

Had an afternoon free (the girlfriend had run out of jobs for me to do), so I decided to go look at the Kingfishers that I usually see up the Highland Water in the mornings.
I parked on the A35 & walked downstream. Along the way I saw Chaffinches, Song Thrushes, Firecrests, Greenfinches, Treecreepers, Nuthatches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings, & Grey Wagtails.

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Friday
Shopping

Saturday
Went up to Cadman's Pool at 6am but the weather was bad. There was a strong, cold wind & it was sleeting so I only stayed out for an hour.
The Thrushes were still singing away through Anses Wood with Chaffinches & Great Tits & a few Hawfinches were singing in the Alder trees by the Dockens Water.

Later on in the afternoon driving along at Broomy Plain a Ringtail Hen Harrier quatered the heath next to the road....

Started from Barrow Moor this morning as it was getting light at 6.15am. It was overcast & a bit misty but not cold.
Firecrests were singing away (my first of the year), as were Song thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Marsh Tits, Treecreepers & Blackbirds.
I walked through Knightwood Inclosure where there were some Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming & calling, a Woodlark was singing over a clear-fell area & Siskins & Crossbills were flying over.
Into Anderwood...