Eleven of us arrived at the Speech House car park for this evening meeting to see a few birds flitting in the trees and Woodpigeon calling. On making our way into the forest, the excitement started when we had prolonged views of a Firecrest with two juveniles found by James. Further along there were Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Chaffinch and many Stonechats flying between the path and the trees together with Siskins and Linnets flying over us. Once on the heathland we saw many Linnets, Siskins and a flock of 34 House Martins. During our coffee break, we observed seven ponies walking through the gorse and heard Buzzard and Pheasants calling. We reached Crabtree Hill at about 21:30 and saw a Buzzard land in a tree, and very soon heard two Nightjars churring. Then a male gave us a fabulous show of flying around, landing, then back up and landing again before a female flew up. After a few more churring calls we made our way back down the hill only to see three Highland Cattle with a Wild Boar in the middle before one of the cattle chased it off. Walking back to the cars, James heard the wings of a Woodcock before we were spoilt again by another display in torch light of a Nightjar flying round and round and finally landing out of sight. A fantastic walk was had by all. (Thanks to Caron for leading and also to James for his expertise, his young eyes and ears.) Caron Thornton Trippit