Twenty-seven of us, including new member Ian, set off from the car park at Tyntesfield on this new-to-BOC three mile walk. Initially, we heard more than we saw including Nuthatch, Jay, Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker chipping away. Jean introduced us to a “Chicken of the woods” fungus to sniff and pass around! Walking past the emus (or were they rheas?) and a surprising wallaby, we crossed into fields to find a number of Crows and Wood Pigeons, a few Swallows and a couple of House Martins flying overhead. A Green Woodpecker was spotted. During early coffee break we watched a mixed species flock of 150, mainly Jackdaws with some Crows, rise up to reveal a Buzzard and the first of our day’s two Ravens. Continuing along the river Yeo towards Watercress Farm, we saw, amongst others, Kestrel, Wheatear, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and two Little Egrets. Roe deer were seen in a distant field. A Common Darter dragonfly was identified. Taking the bridle path back to Tyntesfield, we were treated to a sighting of four to six Spotted Flycatchers as our final and, in my opinion, the best birds of the day. Total species seen or heard was 31. Thanks to Alastair for keeping the bird count and to Jean for leading and sharing this fine walk with us. Sarah Neale