Shuttleworth Lesser spot

Despite the Swiss Gardens being just at the back of College, and Spending many spare hours searching for them, Lesser spotted Woodpeckers had always eluded me. 3 days after hearing one I was finally able to track one down and enjoyed the best views I have ever obtained of the species, as it returned to drum in the same Sweet Chestnut tree, on the top edge of the lake. A Red Kite flew over whilst waiting for the bird to return, and on the return journey a flock of 20 Bar tailed Godwit (Beds tick) flew over farmland below the greensand ridge heading N towards Caldecote and the A1. 2 further county ticks were provided by Ring Ouzel and Wood Warbler (my first for at least 5 years) at Willington the following Sunday. Though generally elusive the Warbler showed well on occasions, with my first Garden Warbler of the year seen and heard along the cycle track. Nightingale was also heard singing in the distance.