Tuesday 02 January – Hengrove Mounds/Manor Woods. Leader: Graham Blacker

Five of us turned up the day storm ‘Gerrit’ hit and did it ever rain! We started with a circular and very muddy walk around the mounds where not a lot was to be seen other than around a dozen Goldfinches to start with a few Herring Gulls and many Black-headed Gulls. Making use of the seating at the Beach Hut Café, we stopped for coffee and were serenaded the whole time by a Song Thrush. After we finished the circuit we had a discussion as to whether it was worth visiting Hawkfield Meadow. As it was under a foot of water we decided best not to and drove to Manor Woods, and were glad we did as the bird count was fairly numerous (and the rain stopped). First we heard, then subsequently saw a Raven, a little while later a Jay was spotted as we continued to the Malago, which is generally little more than a stream but was more like a white water rapid! Entering the woods we found a decent area where we stopped for a good while as we noticed many Long-tailed Tits along with Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, half a dozen Goldcrests, Wren plus a lovely Nuthatch fluttering around. Continuing on we managed a Grey Wagtail but alas no Teal which are generally seen here. It all ended in quite a decent day with 24 species. (Thanks to Graham for leading). Graham Blacker