A group of fifteen plus the leader met in the car park of Oldbury Power station. Setting off down the road we spotted two Green Woodpeckers calling and occasionally coming into sight. Entering the main Nature Reserve on the right, we heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Bullfinch. The path climbs gently up to the reed beds and looks down on the lake where we could see over 20 Mallards plus Coots and Mute Swans. More Chiffchaff were calling and flitting between the bushes. From the reeds came the call of the Reed Warblers and a Reed Bunting. Later on, the Reed Bunting obliged by posing boldly on a high stem. Further along we noted Linnets, Swallows and a Kestrel. The route then drops down through the hedgerow and onto the main coast path. The tide was well out but we saw a group of Shelducks, a Grey Heron and many Canada Geese. Further along was a small group of Oystercatchers. A Pied Wagtail was seen and a group of three greenfinch. The Kestrel soared along the side of the power station where it had nested. Swallows and Linnets were seen flying over and more Chiffchaff calling as we followed the path back to the small pond and on to the car park. Many thanks to Alan for keeping a record of the 45 species seen by the group. (Thanks to Di for leading)
Di Bunniss