Moralee Right!

Had a waxing couple of hours today 'Out West'.  Never been to Allenbanks, but thanks to Steve - The BirdMeister - Holliday (It's 'Sir' to you!), me and Mrs M headed off to that locality and Moralee Woods in search of Redstart, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.  Despite the place heaving with Bank Holiday 'types', as we neared the suspension bridge, two birds flew from west bank to east and then the familiar babbling of WWs.  Magnificent!  I would guess four in that vicinity, with the best views just over the bridge.

And better still, within a few minutes of parting company with the WWs, Pied Flycatchers.  Nothing is surely better than watching PFs to the soundtrack of WWs!

Redstarts are still evading me but it's early days.  Hods of Willow Warblers, Blue Tits and Nuthatches too, and a few Bullfinches and Chiffchaffs.  Dippers and Grey and Pied Wagtails up and down the river too!

Off to Sipton Burn next in search of Ring Ouzel and Red and Black Grouse.  One from three ain't bad, Red Grouse present but no sign of the other two.  As we waited, Lesser Redpoll, Crosssbill, Gold and Greenfinch, Mistle and Song Thrush and plenty of Chaffinches acted as entertainment.