There have always been plenty of birds to be seen around this youth hostel (which is still open all year despite the disappearance of the red triangle on the map). Last year the chaffinch population seemed to have trebled, and they are numerous again now. Also seen in the last few days are coal tits, robins, wagtails, yellow hammers, blue tits, blackbirds, red kites, crows, and a raven. I saw no buzzards, but I heard them. Later in the year, several other birds commonly appear here, notably house martins, redstarts, woodpeckers, great tits, magpies, and I have seen a grey heron passing by.