Castor Hanglands, 15 June

There was a very loud and prominent cuckoo calling across the new plantation at Castor Hanglands this morning at 6.30am. It was easily seen as it perched with those characteristic dropped wings on the bare branches on the top of the older trees in the plantation.

In fact it was a pretty lively time at the Hanglands, with whitethroat (5), garden warbler (3) and grasshopper warbler (2) all singing away, joined by chiffchaff and willow warbler. I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a grasshopper warbler as it flew up from long grass into a bush by the main path through the plantation. Watching it for a few seconds was quite a privilege, if I hadn't known it was there I would never have found it - it's dappled, streaked plumage makes for perfect camoflague.

There was also a turtle dove 'purring' away near the entrance to the plantation. And a male bullfinch by the gates off the road.