Tuesday 19 February – Backwell Lake and Chelvey Leaders: Sue and John Prince

35 birders met on a sunny and spring-like morning at the Perrings above Backwell Lake. Straightaway Canada Geese could be heard calling and most of these seemed to be already paired up. On the lake there were MuteSwan, Mallard, ten Tufted Ducks, three Shovelers, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed Gull, two Coots, and several Moorhens. Four Cormorants sat in the Willow tree on the island. As we walked the lanes towards Chelvey Church we heard eight Robins, two Wrens and two Dunnocks. We saw four Buzzards, Redwing, two Mistle Thrushes, a Song Thrush, and three Jays. A male Blackcap sang and Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch were also heard. A Grey Wagtail was on a farmhouse roof. Snowdrops were growing wild, but the wild Daffodils were absent. In all, thirty-five species were seen (Thanks to Sue and John for leading the walk). Sue Prince