There are times when you just you hate it when the weatherman gets it spot on, especially when the forecast is rain. With heavy rain forecast for 8:00am I decided to get up early and head off to the lower horse paddock in the hope of seeing the Hoopoe.
I was out of the door for precisely 7:20 and in the paddock 2 minutes later. I spent a good 20 minutes here without any luck and decided to head off to Broadcroft Quarry Lane. Sadly just the 1 Chiffchaff here and a couple of Robins.
So it was back to the paddock for one last look as the first drops of rain began to fall. Still no sign of the Hoopoe and the only real highlights here were 3 Song Thrushes and a Grey Wagtail.
By 8:15am the rain was really hammering down, so it was back to the cottage and hoping that the weatherman has got it right when he said the rain will clear by late afternoon. We will see.
A miserable start to the day and no sign of the Hoopoe.
No better down Broadcroft Quarry Lane with the weather closing in.
A Meadow Pipit braving the elements.