Tuesday 27 Dec – Portbury Wharf Leader: Roger Hawley

Fourteen members wishing to undo the effects of too much Christmas food set out for Portbury Wharf on a dull and mild day. The railway bridge is a good viewing point and we had distant views of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Redwings. In Wharf Lane Goldcrest, Chaffinch and Goldfinch were seen, as were the new pylons being erected. From the first hide a pair of Gadwall showed. As usual the second hide provided the best views, with Cormorant, Shelduck, Widgeon, Stonechat, Lapwing, Redshank and Teal. The Tower hide overlooking the Wharf was closed for structural reasons so the embankment was the place to set up the scopes and survey the salt marsh with Canada Geese, Curlew, Linnet and one of our sharp eyed observers saw a long distant view of Common Sandpipers at Portishead Pill. At the end of the embankment is a new well constructed timber bridge that makes it much easier to cross the ditch. The long drove gave us Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and Jay to make a total of 49. The walk finished just before the rain started. (Thanks to Roger for leading) Roger Hawley