WAYMARKERS

1Check around the ponds and bare ground for breeding Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, Lapwing and a chance of Redshank and Shelduck. A good spot for Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit, Sky Lark, Pied Wagtail and the odd passage Yellow or Grey Wagtail, Wheatear and Whinchat in late summer. Scrubby areas harbour a few pairs of Nightingale and Garden Warbler.

2Heathland beside the old runways attracts breeding Green Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Tree Pipit, Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Garden Warblers, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Red Kite and Buzzard all hunt here, while at dawn and dusk Nightjar and Woodcock may be seen or heard.

3Woodland harbours the usual range of resident tits, including the declining Marsh Tit, plus Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, plus Tawny Owl at dusk. Check conifer stands for Goldcrest, Firecrest, Coal Tit and the occasional Siskin, redpoll or Crossbill. Declining summer migrants such as Redstart, Cuckoo and Turtle Dove now occur only sporadically. A good spot for thrushes, Starlings, corvids and Woodpigeons going to roost.