Nice selection of birds on a 10-hour walk across the Quantock Hills on Sunday.

Hodder’s Combe:
Stock Dove (1), Jay (1), Coal Tit (2), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (5), Nuthatch (2), Treecreeper (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (10), Redstart (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Chaffinch (1).

Slaughterhouse Combe:
Cuckoo (1), Tawny Owl (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (6), Wood Warbler (4), Willow Warbler (3), Chiffchaff (2), Garden Warbler (1), Goldcrest (5), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (4), Mistle Thrush (2) Spotted Flycatcher (2), Pied Flycatcher (7), Redstart (7), Stonechat (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Tree Pipit (1), Chaffinch (2).

Stert Combe:
Coal Tit (1), Willow Warbler (4), Garden Warbler (1), Whitethroat (1), Pied Flycatcher (1), Redstart (1), Stonechat (5), Tree Pipit (1).

Somerton Combe:
Cuckoo (1), Buzzard (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Jay (1), Coal Tit (5), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (6), Treecreeper (2), Song Thrush (4), Pied Flycatcher (9), Redstart (3).

Hare Knapp:
Willow Warbler (7), Whitethroat (1), Goldcrest (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Stonechat (4), Meadow Pipit (1), Yellowhammer (1).

Holford Combe:
Wood Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (2), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (5), Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (7), Pied Flycatcher (7), Redstart (1), Grey Wagtail (4), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (2).

Lady’s Combe:
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (2), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1),  Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (4), Tree Pipit (1), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (2).

Govett’s Wood:
Coal Tit (4), Wood Warbler (1), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (3), Song Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (3).

Cockercombe:
Jay (1), Coal Tit (2), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (8), Blackcap (7), Goldcrest (6), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (6).

Great Wood:
Coal Tit (5), Wood Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (2), Goldcrest (5), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (3).

Rectory Wood:
Coal Tit (4), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (2), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (1), Siskin (2).

Duke’s Plantation:
Coal Tit (1), Wood Warbler (4), Chiffchaff (1), Blackbird (1), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Robin (4), Pied Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (2).

Overall, Wood Warblers seem to be having a better year in the oak-wooded Combes on the north side of the Quantocks but relatively low numbers in the Quantock Forest.
Speaking to a friend of mine from Poland, he suggested that beech masting years and subsequent booms of rodent populations can facilitate Wood Warblers moving from oak woodland and into more conifer-dominated areas. This may be what is happening on the Quantocks at the moment but I would like to see more research on the matter.

Spotted Flycatchers present in lower numbers than this time last year but may just be late arriving (only had one at Sand Point so far this year).