Tuesday 12 November – Hengrove Mounds and Manor Woods NR.

 It was a lovely sunny November day when 13 of us met at the somewhat unlikely venue of the Cineworld car park at Hengrove! The more cynical of us were soon amazed as Margaret led us behind the cinema into the fascinating oasis of the Mounds. This is a former landfill site which has been transformed into a wonderful wild area of nature hidden from all the surrounding main roads. We saw a number of the usual hedgerow and field birds including Redwing, Goldfinch and a mystery bird which was difficult to place, probably a pipit. There were a pair of “flyover” Ravens and numerous gulls. As we headed back to the car park a Green Woodpecker was seen on the roof of the cinema! As our walk here was almost ending, our “mystery” bird popped up again. Further investigation on our return home, sparked by a member who was convinced it was a Water Pipit and a consultation with Ed Drewitt who knows the Mounds, suggested strongly that it was indeed a Water Pipit – the time of year, habitat and a detailed description added to the cause. Has anyone else seen this bird in the vicinity? We then drove to the entrance of Manor Woods Reserve. This was another “hidden gem”, with parkland, woods, meadow and a stream. A Grey Wagtail was quickly spotted, as were various other woodland birds, including Song Thrush and Long-tailed Tits. A pair of Moorhens scuttled into the reeds on the riverbank. On our way back, a pair of Buzzards was seen high over Bishopsworth. A total of 25 species was seen over the two sites.