A fresh morning, with disappearing mist suggested a sunny day, but this never quite materialised and the 16 of us had pleasant enough light cloud and fair visibility. Immediately a Kestrel flew into a nearby ash tree, but that was the only real interest for the first mile or so through the terracing, buddle pits and disturbed ground of former lead mining. By the time we had got to the junction with Black Rock path we had seen eight species: a big flock of Jackdaws in beech trees to the south, together with Starlings and Rooks and a Raven. It was a surprise to have not seen more, only one Robin and no Blackbirds so far. After coffee, the continuing closure of Long Wood forced a longer detour on the west side to Charterhouse Farm. Just as well, as we saw 20 or so Redwings, a dozen Goldfinches and a Buzzard, all otherwise possibly missed had we stayed on the shorter eastern side. A very confiding Roe Deer was grazing on some winter wheat, two more were in the distance and a pair of Stonechats, another Redwing and a Wren were in fence-side brambles. Now on the road, we found the copses and hedges largely quiet until we reached Manor Farm where we saw House Sparrows, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail and a very confiding Wren. Robin sightings were now ten and several Blackbirds had been seen. Some members had seen Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Red Kite and a Common Gull and a Chiffchaff was heard, taking the species count to 28. The walk was rounded off by our first Kestrel reappearing. Many thanks to Graham and Sid the sausage dog who took it in turns to Iead.
Simon Reece
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