May’s walk was meant to introduce some of us to better identification of the birds of the Cambrians, through learning to recognise their various sounds rather than trying, usually unsuccessfully, to get a good view.  The best of intentions – in this instance, to remain hushed and concentrate on the twittering, fluting, cheeping and peeping of the spring birds – cannot withstand an overwhelming temptation. A clear blue sky and a gathering of 19 members and friends in the sunlight led, unfortunately, to much human chattering and, even more fatally, to the loss of attention to the sound world around us as we tramped up through the Community Wood outside Pontrhydfendigaid and up onto the open hillsides.

The birds were there alright – our leader Red, whose ears are less easily distracted, did his best to draw attention to the various warblers, flycatchers, pipits and occasional kites and buzzards which came within earshot.  But as in human life online, attention is the currency it is hardest to keep control of.  A fine day was had by all, and new friendships struck. Whether any of us came away more confident we could be sure of the difference between the song of a Garden Warbler and a Willow Warbler, is another question entirely!