Tuesday 17 October – Pucklechurch Leader: Graham Blacker

18 members met outside HMP Ashfield for this new BOC walk around the lovely fields of Pucklechurch. As we entered the first of many fields we spotted lots of crows as we overlooked the amazing vista towards Lansdown. Proceeding onwards, Goldfinch were recorded along with Greenfinch surveying the scene from atop the trees. Leaving the first couple of fields we then walked a lovely quiet lane before once again finding a well-hidden footpath leading alongside a private property, the fields of which housed numerous very cute Alpacas who were only too pleased to greet us. We paused for coffee soon after this still enjoying the lovely views whilst three Buzzard gently hovered overhead. We plodded onward through a fairly muddy patch just before Blue Lodge – the house where Black Beauty was written. After a little more lane walking and into the final fields it was nice to see the top of Abson Church above the treetops. We spotted 29 species in all, the highlights being a Red Kite, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and how lovely it was to see the return of eight Redwings and around 60 Fieldfares. A lovely day was had by all (Thanks to Graham for leading). Graham Blacker