Tuesday 22 April – Hanham Mills Leaders: Karen Birmingham, Jean Oliver, and Jenny Weeks

Despite the bright sunshine, the 24 walkers who set out from Hanham Mills were grateful to get into Bickley Wood and out of the sharp wind. The bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic were appreciated as well as a field of cowslips when we emerged from the woods. Many Orange Tip butterflies were seen. The four mile woodland and riverside walk revealed 35 bird species including, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, (the latter disappeared
into a hole in a tree but didn’t reappear) Stock Dove, Swallow, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song and Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, ten tiny Mallard chicks and 17 Grey Herons in the Heronry. Much to some walkers’ consternation, a heron chick fell from its nest but as there was no movement as it fell, it was assumed to be dead. A Carrion Crow was quick to ensure that that was the case. Just as we were ending the walk, as rain threatened, some witnessed a heron catch a sizable fish. The lack of any rain recently meant that the walk was dry underfoot and the Avon very low. (Thanks to the leaders). Karen Birmingham