A few birds heard on a morning walk to Cheddleton.

Walked along the disused railway line towards Cheddleton this morning. At about 8am I was alerted to the sweet twittering of several flocks of around 20 Siskins each feeding in the tops of the Alder trees that grow along the Endon/Churnet valley, and beside the railway line itself. Perhaps they are feeding up as they move northish to either breed in the UK or prior to their return to continental breeding grounds.

We also heard Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming amongst the trees growing in the wet woodland between the Caldon Canal and the River Churnet just before Cheddleton Flint Mill.

Another notable sound was the song of Reed Buntings. This is the first week this year I have heard them sing.  In two places (just outside Cheddleton and from railway line near Hazelhurst Junction)  I heard two males singing in opposition to each other as they establish their breeding territories for the coming season.

Male Reed Bunting