Friday 1st May 2009         MAY DAY DAWN CHORUS WALK

May Day morning in 2009 was one of the warmest and nicest for a number of years. By the time Stuart and friends arrived at the castle a good crowd were already gathered waiting for the sun to rise.

Rattlejag Morris began to dance just as the first rays of the sun appeared over the horizon and entertained the crowd of about 100 onlookers with a full programme of dances. The breakfast BBQ was welcome, judging by the eager queue which formed when they were ready to serve.

30 people went on the dawn chorus walk which followed the dancing - a record level of enthusiasm for this early morning walk. 34 species were detected by sound or sight during a walk which took in all three of the open fields. Most pleasing spottings were the lesser whitethroat and plenty of yellowhammers which were busy at the muck heaps and standing on the fence posts.

Various members of the party had to go home early but 13 walkers finished the full tour which returned to Bottom Farm after around 5 miles and 3.5 hours walking.

Click on the thumbnails below to see some photos from the morning. Click on Back (Û) to return to this screen.