Seventeen of us set off from Portbury village in cool blustery conditions which improved as the morning progressed. Immediately there were House Martins over the allotments and from the railway bridge two Buzzards circling in the distance over the Gordano Valley. When we turned off the road a Goldcrest was heard and, in a different tree, two juvenile “crests” were seen, most likely Gold. At the start of the footpath a Sparrowhawk went over and for quite a distance the hedgerows were very quiet. Eventually we started to hear Chiffchaff and then, closer to the nature reserve, Whitethroats, Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. Along the salt marsh were a number of Skylark and Reed Bunting. Viewing the pools from the two hides we counted the Lesser Black-backed Gulls (74) but the duck numbers were low, just a few pairs of Tufted Duck, Mallard and Gadwall, the latter being put up by an errant dog which had escaped from its owner. The two adult Lapwings also went up, being decidedly irate with the dog and its owner. There were Swallows and Martins on the walk back up Wharf Lane. Along Sheepway the stragglers in the group witnessed a Kestrel make a successful kill, just 20 feet from a gateway. A good walk with 48 species identified. Thanks to Jane for leading and all who attended. Keith Williams