Last Sunday a full team of birders headed off at 6am to Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey, in Yorkshire. Its one of our annual trips to see and hear the migrant birds that arrive on our shores in springtime, along with our resident bird species. We do tend to rely on Young Chris B for his knowledge and ears as we arrived at our normal parking area. It didnt take long before he picked out the beautiful song of a Garden Warbler that was really belting out its song! Distant Redstart could also be heard on the edge of the wood, also a Woodcock was disturbed by the road. Much better views of the Redstart were obtained a little later. A few Pied Flycatcher`s chasing around were also enjoyed, Chiff-chaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch and others all contributed to a very enjoyable dawn chorus On the river a pair of Dippers, Mandarin, Grey Wagtail and Mallards some with mobile offspring already. The Ramsons or Wild Garlic were in bloom and the smell was quite intoxicating, worth waiting for spring for! Down at Barden Bridge a male Redstart was singing and showing itself to all takers, nearby a pair of Common Sandpipers had a really good old chase around. A few House Martins were seen beginning to gather material to make their nests, what a morning we had all enjoyed and it was only 10am! As the sun began to heat us all up, we made the journey across to Foulshaw Moss N.R. to hopefully see the nesting Osprey`s there. After a few bits of information from the always helpful warden there we set of, firstly to watch the newly arrived Tree Pipits as they sung from the tree tops and performed their parachuting display flight. The usual view of the distant Osprey was seen as it hunkered down, but then after 15 minutes the other one of the pair was seen flying around, what a treat! Our next stop was to be Gait Barrows N.R. near Leighton Moss reserve to hopefully catch up with one of Britain`s quite rare butterflies, the Duke of Burgundy. We eventually found the reserve and as we walked over the mosaic of limestone pavement we watched lots of Brimstone butterflies. We then, luckily saw a fellow enthusiast who pointed us into the correct area to see them. Upon arrival the sun had gone in (this species are only active in sunshine) but as we reached the cordoned off area it came out and so did the Duke of Burgundy butterflies! What a spectacle to watch these small insects duelling with other males as they established breeding territories. We all had enjoyed a good day out and set off for home around 4pm. Dave O.