With many migrant birds moving through the area it’s always a good idea to listen out for the sounds they make at this time of year, differing somewhat from their more obvious ‘spring songs’. Whilst out on Hartland this morning there were four Common Redstart interacting with each other, highlighting the range of sounds they make. In the recordings below there is firstly two birds calling to each other with their Willow Warbler like ‘hooweet‘ call. In the second recording you can hear an adult male seeing off a younger bird with its harsh ‘tack’ and a series of ‘rattles’.

Common Redstart hooweet call. Two individuals Slepe Heath

Common Redstart tack and rattle – Male Slepe Heath