Tuesday 20 November – Hambrook Leader: Dave Body

Forecast as a very cold day with a biting wind, 36 walkers still turned out for this walk – a good deal of which
followed the Frome Valley walkway route. A Dipper was an early spot, along with various tits, 12 Long-tailed
among them. The narrow path did mean the group was well strung out and not all saw the 32 species that were
noted. The crow family was well represented with Carrion Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Magpie and also two Rooks.
Water-related species were Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Mallard, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed, Black-headed,
Common and Herring Gulls. Wrens were heard often and some seen. Surprisingly, our only member of the
thrush family was one Redwing, very well lit by the sun, which warmed us on occasions, and posing next to a
bunch of red berries. It had taken up the perch of a “query” bird, finally identified as a Yellowhammer. It was
good to see lots of Chaffinches about and some of the group were lucky enough to get good views of a male
Bullfinch. This walk was a “Dave Tombs walk” that we had not done for a long time and proved very worthwhile.
Thanks to Dave for leading. Nancy Barrett