Why, I hear you scream, would you even contemplate using the hate word to describe our delightful little songsters?

Because - I spent the best part of 40 Mins staring into a hawthorn bush hoping (beyond hope) that I'd just found a 'proper' county rarity (you'll get my meaning in a second).

Walking round Virridor wood I came to a bush/bramble patch where I heard a Swallow singing from halfway up the bush, followed by Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler, bits of Blackbird, possibly a hint of Willow Warbler and some other bits of song I couldnt quite pin down.

We all know what I was thinking - so I proceeded to stare at this bush, getting puzzled looks from a number of dog walkers, to be rewarded by stunning views of a Swallow impersonating Sedge Warbler

Admitedley it did sing like a Sedgie quite a bit