As a light spatter of rain stopped almost on the dot of 10 am, fifteen members headed south from the Newlands Corner car park towards St Martha’s Hill and church in the distance. A short stop below allowed good views of a couple of Whitethroats, a single Linnet, a preening Jay and the continuing call of a Chaffinch. At the foot of the slope a singing Skylark was seen ascending from the barley field below and further views of multiple Skylarks were enjoyed through the descent through the field towards the farm. The only, very distant Cuckoo of the walk was heard from the direction of Albury. The farm and its buildings gave Swallows, House Martins, House Sparrows & views of a distant Buzzard. Along the footpath adjacent to a coniferous plantation there where views of a singing Blackcap, the tail-ends of two Green Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch and a Kestrel fly-past. Over the fallen tree and across the road ascending up to St Martha’s, the first Firecrest was heard but, as was the theme for the entire walk, sadly not seen. The pit stop at the top by the church was sound-tracked by a wheezing Greenfinch and a displaying Whitethroat, while three Buzzards circled and called overhead. During the descent from the Church into the tall pines, there were several more singing Firecrests and at least one Goldcrest. Nice views of a Chiffchaff dispatching a juicy caterpillar were followed by a fleeting glimpse by a few of a streak of grey through the pines. Minutes later a Sparrowhawk was flap-flap-gliding in a gap of blue sky right above. The meander back up to the chalk grassland slope into the woods was quiet, and a last attempt at spotting a vocal Firecrest was to no avail. A final detour down to the newly installed Yew Tree Project boardwalk gave a final boost to morale among the ancient trees! It was an excellent walk of great views, kind skies and frustratingly elusive Firecrests. The final final tally was 34 species.