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We left Rudland at 4.15am when all was dark and quiet apart from our neighbour’s cockerel - not exactly the first bird we were hoping to hear.

When we arrived at Gilling wood it was 4.50am and still quite dark and quiet. The three of us waited to see if other people would come (they didn’t) and as we waited the first bird – a robin – broke the silence followed by a blackbird and soon the woods all around were full of song. It was magical.

We walked to the lake where three mute swans were afloat (two adults and one immature), their heads under their wings, and while all other birds were waking they stayed soundly asleep, like teenagers under the duvet, “it’s Sunday, go away”.

As we walked along the side of the lake a feral goose called loudly (the swans remained sound asleep) and we heard and saw a coot. Strolling from the lakeside into the wood we heard a blackcap. It seemed the musical performance was fading away and as we’d spent about an hour there we felt we’d heard the best part of the chorus.

Apart from very slight drizzle as we arrived the day began dry but very overcast, not a good light for seeing birds. However, as we made our way back to the car we saw flocks of tits, great, blue and long tailed, and had good views of a black cap – all were feeding, not singing.

Below is the list for the morning: Robin, tawny owl, pheasant, blackbird, woodcock, song thrush, wood pigeon, blue tit, nuthatch, wren, great tit, chiffchaff, carrion crow, coot, greater spotted woodpecker, chaffinch, blackcap, long tailed tit, willow warbler, Canada goose, roe deer, oyster catcher.

Tom and Janet Denney, and Kathy Wood.

PS: On our way home around 7.00am we noted early birders were already in place to look for the black kite which had been around Duncombe Park for the last few days.