Despite the rain pouring down all night and a forbidding forecast, six intrepid members gathered for the high tide at Severn Beach. Their dedication was rewarded by the number and variety of birds they saw through their rain-spattered lenses. There were large flocks of Starlings swirling in the sky, flocks of Dunlin and Turnstones on the shore together with Ringed Plovers running over the beach. Walking towards the Severn Bridge we saw Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and a Little Egret flew overhead. Further towards New Passage there were House Sparrows, flocks of mixed white doves and Woodpigeon plus Black-headed and Herring Gulls over the estuary. On the inlet we saw Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Grey Heron, Redshank and in the distance large numbers of Dunlin and Curlew. Inland was a flock of Canada Geese and, in the bushes around the house, a flock of mixed tits – Blue, Long-tailed, Great and Coal. Two of us saw a Goldcrest; but there were also Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Rock and Meadow Pipits, Blackbird, a Robin and a potential alba wagtail. On the return to our cars, as the sun seemed to be breaking through over the Welsh coast, but not on our side, our chilled damp spirits were lifted by the sight of a Sparrowhawk gliding over the river. Altogether 36 species recorded, so thank you Peter. Ruth Stanton