Tuesday 20 May – Hambrook Leaders : Joyce Donkor and Kate Cashmore

On this hot sunny day, there were 20 of us following the delightfully shady and picturesque Frome Valley Walkway, intermittently crossing the river on its numerous bridges which afforded great vistas for bird-spotting up and downstream. 31 bird species were identified during the walk plus a Roe deer towards the end. From the start there were signs of Spring: two Blue Tit fledglings just by the pub, then later, below a bridge a Moorhen nest with six eggs – we spotted the parent up the river – and later still, a family of six Goldcrests in the trees. We followed the paths along the river with aromas of wild garlic and dappled light from the sunshine filtering
through into the woods. The Chiffchaffs were out in numbers and the occasional Buzzard soared the skies. We spied a Grey Wagtail from one of the bridges, where as we arrived, the bells from the local church began to peal pleasantly. Buttercup fields on the return led us back to the river again where we spotted a Little Egret stirring up
the mud with its foot. A cheerful Wren greeted us upon arriving back at the pub. Sarie Desai