Tuesday 11 February – Hambrook Leaders: Joyce Donker and Kate Cashmore

Twenty five walkers met at the White Horse, Hambrook, on a mild overcast but dry day. Beyond the car park, we
met the Frome, and from the old bridge, watched our first Dipper of the day. We followed the Frome Valley
Walkway to a road bridge, below which were Mallard and Moorhen. Then we saw Blue and Great Tits, Robin,
Dunnock and Goldcrest in a garden with feeders. As we walked along the riverside road Green Woodpeckers
were calling and Song Thrushes singing. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen. At the next bridge there were
two more Dippers, one doing its underwater feeding, and a Grey Wagtail on the rocks. In woodland we had Jay,
Magpies, Jackdaws, a Nuthatch and nine Long-tailed tits and three Coal Tits. Winter thrushes included 75
Redwings and one Fieldfare. Overhead we had a Buzzard, a Raven and a Sparrowhawk. In the hedgerow trees
we saw seven Greenfinches, not a common sight these days, and lots of Goldfinches (28 in total). Altogether 38
species were spotted. (Thanks to Joyce and Kate for leading). Kate Cashmore