Tuesday 29 October – Bridgeyate

 There were 18 participants on this birding walk led by David Body, who took us on a walk devised by, and last walked with, Stan Willmott in July 2010. Soon after leaving the Griffin pub we had Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Dunnock and Wood Pigeon on the list. It was an excellent and sunny weather morning, clouding over a little towards midday. On reaching the high ground, and seeing a roe deer on the way, we had already noted Bullfinch, Raven, Magpie, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Long-tailed Tits and we just stood there to take in the magnificent views of the southern edge of the Cotswolds, the distant Mendips, and Dundry and Lockleaze hills. Then, after climbing yet again and with a view of the River Boyd below, we came upon a wooden gateway covered with hundreds of ladybirds of many colours. By the time we had returned to the Griffin pub for lunch, Jay, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Moorhen, Green Woodpecker, Robin and Chaffinch had also been seen, bringing the total to a respectable 28.