Twenty-four members joined for a casual walk in Portishead. We had a special species in mind for our trip: the Purple Sandpiper. Being from a different hemisphere all the birds were quite exciting and opened up a whole new world of sight and song from the Mute Swans to the Chiffchaffs. We spotted but mostly heard 35 species, including the not just one but four Purple Sandpipers, which are winter visitors and should be leaving soon so it was a great sighting. At the beginning of our walk we were greeted with a Willow Warbler, deceptively similar to the abundant Chiffchaffs, but unique in its song. While on our walk around Battery Point we not only saw the Purple Sandpipers but also Oystercatchers, and Rock Pipits. The walk through the woods was beautiful and really tested our bird song recollection. Later in the walk we heard some Goldcrests, extraordinarily small birds with a big voice. Spotting them was much harder than hearing them. Notable other species were Blackcap and Pied Wagtail. Thank you to Graham and Diana, who expertly guided us through the woods and back just in time for lunch! (Reported by a visitor from Cape Town here for three weeks only). Koi Pillay