A grey and blustery day with rain forecast, it was great to have 20 of us on this walk. We set off heading south on Purdown and immediately heard and spotted two Goldcrests in some pine trees. From the top path we had great views of a hovering Kestrel, showing lovely colours. The local goats posed for some photos as we passed by. After heading downhill and turning towards Stoke Park and Duchess Pond we stopped to check out the steeple of Holy Trinity Church, Stapleton. A scope was required to confirm that there were a number of Starlings but no Peregrine, but one was spotted later on. On the way down to Duchess Pond we watched a Raven being ‘escorted’ by other corvids, and also a Sparrowhawk, some of us learning to identify it by shape and its ‘flap, flap glide’ action. At Duchess Pond we met our 21st walker and continued uphill to Long Wood – very autumnal! The main attraction there was a Ring-Necked Parakeet which was a first for some. Having stayed dry all morning the rain started when we got back to the cars – what timing! Thanks to Graham for leading. Denise Rudeforth