A Fox in the Valley

A quick walk over the Pit Tip and around the nearby Woodland produced some of the best views I've ever had of Skylark. At least twelve were present, including four pairs and some birds in the open, very close to the Pit Tip paths. One or two Meadow Pipit were also present, and another three Canada Goose flew over to the north at sunrise.

Three singing male Chiffchaff were again between Shopping Trolley Pond and the Sidings, surprisingly close together. A pair of Jay were by the pond, two Goldcrest were in a large yew in the Warren Hill valley, and a Coal Tit was at the bottom of Hanging Heath. The valley also produced prolonged views of a Red Fox, watching me as it sat in a clump of grass. It wasn't too bothered by the camera, either.

From the top of Hanging Heath, another pair of Jay were foraging on woodland floor, and three Great Spotted Woodpecker were drumming together around the valley. On my evening run, I noted a pre-roost gathering of around forty Carrion Crow on the eastern side of the Pit Tip Top's circular path.