Wharncliffe

What a scorcher! I’ve spent the day so far sweltering under the blazing sun in the Wharncliffe area, in the hope of mopping up a couple of birds that have escaped me so far this Spring… spotted flycatcher and wood warbler.

Not long after I entered the woods, the cuckoos could be heard in fine song, and it wasn’t long until I managed to find the source of the noise and get fantastic views of a bird as it moved between perches in a clearing, staying around long enough and at close enough range for a semi-decent photo.

Sadly my targets remained elusive, but there were plenty of garden warblers, blackcaps and a couple of tree pipits to keep me amused, as well as a smattering of butterflies including a good few painted ladies.

I walked up to Wharncliffe Chase, in the hopes of a spotted fly along the edges, again with no joy,  but did get good views of a handsome redstart near Wharncliffe Lodge, which you can just about make out in the photo below (if you squint a bit…).

Other birds around included more tree pipits, and a singing yellowhammer. A walk through the Heath wasn’t very productive (bar the usual green tiger beetles), but walking back to the woods on the path beneath the crags finally yielded a singing wood warbler, which was tracked down and gave some brief views as it moved through the branches. Nearby I also saw a great spotted woodpecker feeding some noisy chicks in a nest hole.

Sadly the spotted flycatcher remained elusive – hopefully I’ll get one soon!