Tuesday 13 November – Saltford Leader: Robert Hargreaves

On a fine, sunny morning 36 of us arrived in Saltford; so many that car parking had to spread all along the river.
Those parked in the designated “The Shallows” were treated to the sight of a hovering, diving Kingfisher, soon
joined by a second flash of electric-blue. A Greenfinch wheezed as we set off to join fellow walkers on the cycle
path bridge over the river Avon. Their treat had been the sight of nine Buzzards in one field – remarkable! A
short walk along the cycle track brought brief sights and sounds of many small birds, a few Redwings, two
Collared Doves and a Jay. Turning right off the cycle track and in the fields around were large numbers of Pied
Wagtails. The footpath continued through the farm where six Red-legged Partridges were spotted. At the coffee
stop a lone Cormorant was spotted perched quietly in a tree to add to the three flying Cormorants seen on our
walk and we enjoyed a flight of 24 Jackdaws. We continued down through the fields reaching the river at
Swineford weir. Here was a pair of Mute Swans, two Moorhens. The next leg took us along the riverbank with
interesting finds by various groups: including a Cetti’s Warbler, a Chiffchaff, one Little Grebe and a Kestrel.
Passing under the railway bridge along the field edge brought us back to the cycle path near Avon Riverside
Station. This led us back to Saltford allowing us to sharpen our senses to cope with the cyclists and to enjoy the
birds in the trees and bushes bordering the path. These included two Treecreepers, two flocks of Long-tailed Tits,
two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and one Song Thrush. We had seen many common birds like the plentiful
Goldfinch (two flights of 25 and 30) and handsome Chaffinch; the total number of species was 42. The weather
and scenery were lovely and everyone seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Thanks to our leader,
Robert. Anne Crowe