Seventeen met in the Moat car park to be greeted by the call of a nearby cuckoo to confirm the arrival of Spring. The morning was though somewhat cool in the northerly breeze and few birds were singing. A brief scan of the pond yielded only a couple of mallards while song on our circuit of the south bog was confined to a whitethroat and a chiffchaff. Finally as we progressed a great spotted wood drummed for us and the liquid notes of a willow warbler, the first of eight that we encountered, could be heard. Stonechats perched for us and a Dartford warbler afforded us a glimpse. Then out of the blue a hobby appeared and proceeded to give a close display of its aerial prowess, the highlight of the walk. Things went quieter as we followed the path around the exterior of Parish Field. A redstart appeared briefly drinking from a muddy pool, our only view during the morning which was disappointing for a species that can usually be sighting in good numbers in the vicinity. We next headed uphill to the song of woodlarks from hidden perches and occasional displays. Another Dartford shot by and more stonechats appeared, some taking food to nests. We made the long walk back, much lengthened by the absence of boardwalks, accompanied by the distant calls of lapwings on Pudmore. Finally not one but three hobbies appeared and provided another aerial display. An increasingly enjoyable morning produced a list of 31 species.