Napton on the Hill

I really enjoy wandering on the hill at Napton and this was to be my destination today. Arriving at first light around 0600, I was able to explore for four hours before needing to get home. Parking by the church, I walked to the windmill then down the steep and muddy path into the quarry. Overhead four Ravens were honking, two Buzzards and a Kestrel. The quarry was disappointing but the bushes held at least ten Blackcap, with Whitethroat and Chiffchaff in good numbers. However, it was the churchyard that held my interest. Nothing mega, but sitting in the sunshine, I was entertained by at least twelve Spotted Flycatchers, five Goldcrests, four Coal Tits, thirty plus mixed warblers (Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers) and two Nuthatches calling from the large tree. At least one hundred Swallows and House Martins came at me from all directions in a frenzied feeding spree!

Spotted Flycatchers

(More images can be found on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings (0600 - 1000):

Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Robin; Black Headed Gull; LBB Gull; Wren; Blue Tit; Green Woodpecker; Swallow; Magpie; Chiffchaff; Bullfinch; Blackbird; Raven; Buzzard; Goldfinch; House Sparrow; Blackcap; Great Tit; Mallard; Whitethroat; Rook; Linnet; Kestrel; Moorhen; Starling; Song Thrush; Chaffinch; Spotted Flycatcher; Willow Warbler; Nuthatch; House Martin; Dunnock; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Long Tailed Tit; Goldcrest; Coal Tit.