Cannock Chase

Having not bin to the Chase for quite some time and still not being able to see any Cuckoo around Hanchurch we decided to try Cannock Chase this always being a reliable location for us in the past.

We started off around Freda's Grave and soon as we got out of the car we could hear a couple calling around us one sounding quite close just into the Valley which we soon located.  Calling from a Birch just at the top of the valley just before the paths descend into the valley.

 

 As we walked down into the Valley we came across a pair of Stone Chat collecting food for their young.

About half way down we came across our first Tree Pipit in the end between Freda's Grave and the Glacial Boulder we saw at least 5 Tree Pipit in total and around 3 Cuckoo

As we walked back up to the car we came across another showy pair of Stone Chats

 The Cuckoo that had been at the top of the valley was now half way down and the resident Tree Pipits were not happy to see it.

We decided to have a comfort break at the visitor centre on the way there we were lucky enough to spot a small group of deer

We still had not seen a single reptile although we had done our best to see any so we decided to move along to the spot we had previously noted Slow Worms around the Punch Bowl it was nice and peaceful walking towards the main body of the Chase through the wooded area seeing a couple of Black Cap and a single Gold Crest

Getting to the end of the track I heard a Wood Warbler calling so it was then a case of tracking it down, I eventually found it and even managed to grab a few shots.

Over all a great day out and a nice haul of birds.