The Barbon Birds.

Though there was one or two absentees, with the exception of the Meadow Pipits I collected 28 species yesterday, not too bad for Barbondale which is only a relatively small area as those who know the area will tell you but pretty good for species numbers.

Pied Flycatcher. Howard Stockdale.

I found 5 Pied Flycatcher, they were seen as two pairs and a single female though I reckon she had a mate somewhere around keeping his head down, so five pairs the distinct possibility. Seven Redstart seen included a female collecting nesting material and taking it to a tree hole. 

Cuckoo Marc Heath

I had been here a couple of hours but eventually came upon a distant and silent Cuckoo on the hillside. Also of note, at least 5 Nuthatch, a few uncounted Willow Warbler, a Grey Wagtail was the only bird of note on Barbon Beck, though a few Swallow were over the beck, maybe breeders from the farm on the hill, 2 Mistle Thrush and 2 Coal Tit, with a Buzzard and 2 Kestrel representing the raptors. The 21 Meadow Pipit were the only birds I saw on a couple of mile walk following Barbon Beck north-east.

Stonechat Gary Jones 

Only some dogged determination turned up a male Stonechat, seen as the last bird on the day after 6.5 hours in the area, presumably with a female sitting on the nest somewhere close by. 

End your day the proper way and find yourself a Stonechat! 

Thanks to Howard/Marc/Gary for the images....Wonderful stuff.