Tuesday 03 September-Winscombe

A happy bunch of 19 people left Winscombe village, walking towards Sandford Hill on a warm but misty morning. As we set off there was a variety of birds from Jackdaw and Herring Gull to Pied Wagtail and Collared Dove on the roofs. Across the fields we soon had Swallows overhead and reached a poplar tree filled with a large mixed flock of finches, along with Blue Tit, Goldcrest and a nearby Bullfinch. Over 20 Chaffinch rose from rape stubble and nearby we saw a Raven calling from a tree top and a Song Thrush. A Buzzard flew above as we walked up to the wood where we saw Jay and Chiffchaff before emerging onto the hilltop to enjoy our coffee stop. In the distance we caught sight of a Hobby heading south. The sun was quickly burning off the mist and in a grassy field was a Magpie with a juvenile Green Woodpecker bouncing alongside it. The remainder of the walk gave Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Nuthatch heard and lovely views of four Long-tailed Tits heading along the hedgerow and across a gap above a gate. Of course there were also a number of Pigeon, tuneful Robins, martins, Blackbirds etc. interspersed with numerous horses and quite a number of different butterflies, appreciating the sun and flowers. The less common, brightly-coloured Clouded Yellow caused some excitement as we headed towards Shipham and returned through Sidcot. 29 bird species seen. Thank you Sue and Mark Watson for leading.