Saturday 12 September – Chipping Sodbury Common Leader: Mike Jackson

Five members met at 0900 in Hatters Lane and joined one more at the entrance to the common. In fine weather, 15- 17°C with a light westerly breeze which strengthened toward midday, and dry underfoot, we proceeded up the incline on Trinity Lane past the golf club entrance onto the common. House Martin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin and House Sparrow had by now been seen or heard. As we passed the large house (marked The Windmill on OS map) we encountered a herd of cattle grazing with c.25 Yellow Wagtail amongst them in adult and juvenile plumage, with Swallow flying over. Going downhill into the scrubby area a Kestrel was moving between the bushes. A Green Woodpecker, a number of Blackbird, Stonechat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Linnet and Meadow Pipit were also present. One Stock Dove was amongst Woodpigeon in the boundary hedge. As we walked north east along both sides of a bushy hedge a number of Starling and a female Redstart were in the hedge. A Grey Heron flew over and a Buzzard was heard calling, and there were around 30 Starling atop a pylon. We stopped at a known Little Owl roost but the bird wasn’t showing. We walked back into the scrubby area where further Stonechat, Redstart and Meadow Pipit were seen along with Whinchat, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and presumably the same flock of Yellow Wagtail. At around 14:00, we returned along a scrubby hedge and back uphill out of the Common where there were more Starling in the hedge. The cattle were now resting which may have been why the Yellow Wagtail had moved into the bushes. Thanks to Mike for leading this walk. Alan Daniells