We may be latecomers and have not heard what others may have, but it was a delight to hear the wooden tones of a cuckoo calling from high up towards the Bonham’s patch. An especial treat as we have not heard a cuckoo within the M25, in Orpington where we live, for at least 8 years.

Sunday was cold and crisp.  The robin at Five Bar Gate was singing in the early morning sunshine and this time was much better lit, albeit further away :

The area around the gate is clearly his territory.

It was about 15:30 yesterday, on the edge of the wood near Five Bar Gate and it was already twilight when a robin started singing the most liquid of calls.  It was just a magic moment :