Tuesday 04 February – Bristol City Centre Leaders: Margaret Gorely and Nancy Barrett

Early February with lots of sunshine ensured that Harbourside and Clifton were looking good for the 27 members who assembled for this regular winter – virtually mud free – Tuesday walk. As usual we set off across the Pero’s Bridge and followed the Floating Harbour past M Shed. There were plenty of Black-headed and Herring Gulls on the water, a couple of Cormorants and some Moorhens. The Cumberland Road flats were encased in scaffolding but the buddleia and brambles outside their back gardens yielded House Sparrows and a male Blackcap. Carrion Crows, Starlings and Robins were also seen. Mute Swans, Ravens and Mallards enlivened our coffee stop after which we continued to the Underfall Yard and then on to a deserted Cumberland Road, which is closed after the recent collapse of part of the riverbank. Goldfinch and Grey Wagtail were added to our list at the Create Centre and, because of Metrobus diversion owing to the road closure, we were able to spend time viewing from both sides of the Metro Bridge from which Redshank and Common Sandpiper were seen by most. More Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls were on view as we looked down river towards the Suspension Bridge, before our return route to the bottom of Jacob’s Wells Road. From here ten of us took on the first and only hill of the day climbing up Brandon Hill. Jackdaw, Redwing, Wren, Greenfinch, Collared Dove and Great Tit were added to the list making a total of 29 species. (Thanks to Margaret and Nancy forleading) Nancy Barrett