Saturday 12 April – Sand Point Leaders: Matt Hull and Giles Morris

This was a joint walk with Bristol Naturalists’ Society and it also had two start times in the hope that the five early risers amongst us might catch any overnight migrants before they moved on. A newly arrived Whitethroat was scratching away as we climbed the steps and Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song was also much in evidence. A smart male Wheatear showed well on the open grass at the top, but, sadly, the Grasshopper Warblers that Matt had heard earlier had already departed. Competing Skylarks were in full voice as we moved on to the fields to the south of the ridge and here we were lucky enough to see a Redstart moving along the hedgerows. Returning to the car park for the second start at 09:00 with our numbers more than doubled, we heard Greenfinch, Linnet, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler and Dunnock amongst others. Some heard and saw a Cuckoo and everyone had excellent views of a pair of Stonechats. A Peregrine Falcon was buzzing the Shelduck and Curlew out in the bay and a Kestrel hovered over the grassland. Finally, there was a probable Cirl Bunting in the scrub at the far end. Thanks are due to Matt for his knowledgeable leading and sharing his vast experience of his local patch on this lovely morning. Giles Morris