Trip report: Hambrook (27th March 2012)

A magnificent weather day brought out 41 walkers – quite a crowd – to the White Horse car park. The walk was firstly beside the motorway where, thankfully, traffic noise was reduced by the easterly breeze. By the time we had reached Quarry Barton and Bradley Brook Bridge 16 birds, including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Jay and Mallard, had been seen. Then, at a bridge over the River Frome, we spotted Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, Goldfinch, Goldcrest and Treecreeper. A refreshment break was held in Huckford Old Quarry Nature Reserve before walking beside the Frome and then up to Bury Hill Iron Age Fort. Dropping back down to river level, Dipper, Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron and Moorhen brought the total to 37 species on a very varied habitat walk of about four miles in perfect conditions.

David Tombs