Up t' dale

An early morning sortie to the dale head was productive. 4 singing Whinchats, 2 singing Tree Pipits, at least 3 Redstart singing. Other songsters included Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Cuckoo. Also present were Wheatear (2), Stonechat, a male, and Jay which is a bird I'm yet to see at our end. Serious scanning and listening failed to locate a Rouzel but more effort is required.

Evening was spent in horizontal easterly rain (but what a nice hide it is) at Scaling Dam. Scant reward for the dedication, 2 Dunlin and a light assortment of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows.