Tuesday 10 December – Pucklechurch (Christmas Lunch)

 35 members set off on a grey but very mild morning from the car park of the Fleur de Lys in Pucklechurch, soon to be joined by a 36th member, who had cycled from the centre of Bristol. This is always a slightly shorter walk than our usual Tuesday ones so we can be back at the pub in good time for our annual Christmas lunch. While still walking through the village, already on the list were Starling, House Sparrows, Jackdaws, Woodpigeon and Collared Dove, plus a Pied Wagtail. We soon saw Redwings and Fieldfares in abundance and then a group of Meadow Pipits was spotted by our chairman, Ed Drewitt, who was invited to come more often to Tuesday walks! Four Bullfinches on the ridge of a barn roof were quite a find and most people saw at least one. A couple of Goldcrests were heard and, for those of us who can no longer hear them, one obligingly flew over us. A Song Thrush was also heard as we stopped for coffee. It was such a still morning that even as we approached the part of the route that takes us near the M4, there was little motorway noise until we were quite close to it. Very good views of Dunnock and Wren were had in nearby hedgerows and crossing the fruit farm yet more winter thrushes were seen. Altogether 28 species were listed. Thanks to Duncan Gill for leading and Pat for bringing up the rear of such a large group. We were back at the pub as midday was striking and a good meal was had by all, joined by quite a few members who hadn’t taken the pre-meal exercise. After the meal, which had been arranged by Peter Holbrook once again, Ed Drewitt thanked Hazel Wilmott for organising the Tuesday walks and Mark Watson was warmly welcomed as our next organiser, as Hazel is moving away from the area next year.