In my completely unbiased opinion, I have one of the best BBS survey routes in Gwent. The first transect begins near the Shell Grotto at Pontypool Park and finishes around five minutes away from Pontypool Folly. It takes me along the edge of one of the most beautiful parks in the country before climbing the hill towards one of Torfaen’s most familiar and much-loved landmarks. There are certainly worse places to count birds. My original plan had been to arrive early enough to photograph the sunrise from the Folly before beginning the survey. The alarm was set for 4am. Unfortunately, the alarm clock performed about as reliably as a chocolate tripod. When I finally woke and realised what time it was, there was no chance of reaching the Folly before sunrise. Rather than admit complete defeat, I grabbed my drone and hurried to a local field close to home. I managed to get it into the air just in time. The sunrise over my hometown was fabulous. Warm golden light spread across the lands...