The temperatures we still quite low for the time of the year, but there was sunshine and plenty of it as I pulled into the Pig Bush car park to meet Ian. From the car park we headed through the wood towards the stream on the south side of the heath. As we reached the edge of the wood we heard the song of a Redstart, the bird we were hoping to find today. It was singing from the top of an Oak tree and was showing quite well.
The redstart is a summer visitor, arriving here in April and
leaving in September. It feeds on insects, especially butterfly and beetle
larvae, and can be seen foraging in woodlands, hedgerows, parks and beside
streams. Redstarts have an upright stance and can be seen 'bobbing': moving in
a similar fashion to Robins. They spend most of their time in the trees.
Male redstarts are grey above, with a red breast, black
throat, long, black legs, and a long, red tail.
It was moving through the trees as it sang and eventually flew off and out of sight, but we could still here it singing. We were hoping for more and at eye or ground level too. Walking around the edge of the wood a male Stonechat was singing from the top of the gorse.
We crossed the open heath with wonderful views of the emerging leaves at the edge of the woods. These contrasting beautifully with the blue skies and wispy clouds.
We passed several sing Redstarts that were very difficult to see, but we could clearly hear them. Coming back out on to the heath we could hear a Willow Warbler singing from a group of trees. We were able to get closer to get some superb views. First at the top of the bush.
It then came closer on one of the small wispy bushes.
When Chiffchaff arrive there is a rush to photograph them in the leafless branches. Willow Warblers arrive a little later, they having further to fly from the winter grounds in sub Sahara Africa. They announce their arrival with their lovely wispy melodic song.
I don't think I have been able to get such great views of this little warbler, different from the Chiffchaff, having the pale lighter legs and the longer primary feathers.
A pine tree provided a different location.
But it continued singing.
Back in the open some more lovely views.
We left the Willow Warbler singing and walked through the bracken where we flushed two pairs of Woodlark. This one appearing from the bracken.
But it was the Redstart we were here for and we headed to where we had seen them last year at this time of year. A line of trees with dead trees and marshy ground appears to be to their liking. One was singing and I picked it up on the ground.
This was almost exactly the same place as last year. Then I photographed in on horse dung, it did go on them again, but I have spared the experience. They do seem to hold territory and appear to fly around it. It left the spot and we lost it, but after walking around the area we returned and found it once again in the same spot.
Then flew up int an Oak tree nearby where it perched in the open and occasionally sang.
Then dropped to lower branches and showed very well.
Then across the open area to some trees and branches at eye level and we were treated to some wonderful views which produced some of my best Redstart photographs.
One of the united Kingdom's most striking song bird and one that never fails to please when you see them.
Believe me there are differences in the these shots and there are no apologies for including them all.
Looking to the ground for possible food.
A quick preen and scratch.
We left the Redstart and headed out on to the heath and up the slope where you could look back at the wood we had just left. The path though was muddy and I almost lost my boot.
Out on the heath we used the pheromone lur for Emperor Moths and were successful in attracting two moths, but unfortunately they did not rest, just flying around us and then flying off and out of sight. As we walked back to the car park we had Dartford Warblers on both sides of the path. On reaching the wood a Nuthatch showed well in a fallen tree.
After lunch we made the short drive to Shatterford. The car park there was closed so we had to park opposite the railway station and then cross the bridge. We tried for the Emperor moths once more without any luck. We crossed the road and headed towards Denny Wood.
We put up a male Wheatear, but it kept sufficient distance from us, so not the best image.
We stopped every so often to see if the Emperor Moths were about but this time no sign. Denny Wood looked impressive from a distance, but even more so close up.
A group of Fallow Deer were feeding at the entrance to the wood and with them a young white stag with the first signs of antlers.
Surprisingly there was not and sight or sound of Redstart in the wood, there was though a singing Firecrest, that showed extremely well.
Then singing from a prominent perch.
We walked through the wood and we had to admit to getting a little lost, but as we retraced our steps we came across this very smart Grey Wagtail, feeding in a ditch.
It was catching flies, sometimes jumping up to pick them off
We finally found the path that goes across to the path back to the closed car park. Stopping to watch swallows and House Martins above a pool an Emperor Moth put in an appearance, but again didn't stop. We had at least two more as we walked back through the heather, but like all the others they would not stop. A Marsh Harrier and a Curlew were the other highlights as we walked back. A great day with some quality photographic opportunities. The Emperor Moth was a disappointment, but hopefully there will be other chances, at least we know they like the lure.
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