Tuesday 14 February – Ashton Court Leader: Graham Blacker

On a dry bright day 30 members met in the car park near the golf course and were greeted by the lovely sound of singing Skylarks. (The parking charge is now £4 for 5 hours.) We took a circular four mile clockwise route through the Red Deer Park down to the Lodge and over to Clarken Coombe Lodge and Woods. Then back past Barn Wood and the edge of the golf course to the Miniature Railway and on to the car park. A total of 31 species were detected, some by sound only such as Blackcap, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch and Yellowhammer. There were however wonderful views of a Buzzard soaring above us. There were also sightings of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Raven. Of the smaller birds the most numerous was 19 Blue Tits but we also saw Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. Some had sightings of Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Goldcrest as well as Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Many thanks to Graham Blacker for leading a delightful morning enhanced by the flowering daffodils and crocus. Beth Yates