Seckley Wood

Wyre Forest - cool, cloudy, drizzle am, warm, sunny pm - It was back to the forest today for a third visit, this time to Seckley Wood on the Shropshire side of the border, where there many more conifers and as a result much less bird diversity. There was however a stunning view over the river Severn and a reservoir. New for the trip was a Fallow Deer moving through dense undergrowth, a Buzzard at the nest and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers also at nest sites. Singles of Wood Warbler and Redstart were heard singing and once again the full range of tits, Bullfinch, Nuthatch and the like.
Once the sun broke through a few butterflies emerged from hiding, mostly whites and Speckled Woods, plus one unidentified fritillary, and that was about it. In summary an interesting week in an area that was new to me with the butterflies being the highlight on the first two days, plus Upton Warren for the Avocets.
Having driven up and down the motorways this week it was interesting to note that Common Buzzard was by far the most numerous raptor (several even seen from the M25), discounting the plastic Kites either side the Stokenchurch Cutting on the M40. Worryingly though, only two Kestrels were noted.