Our arrival at the attractive church of St Quiricus and St Julietta coincided with a school harvest festival, the
children’s yellow tabards echoing this year’s ubiquitous Clouded Yellow butterflies. 13 walkers set off up the hill to Cadbury Camp, with views of Kestrel and Buzzard, and a Pied Wagtail on a roof. In the woodland were Wren, Blue and Great Tits, and the sharp-eared picked up a Goldcrest. The sun came out at the top and the misty views were spectacular. Two Swallows flew over, and six Meadow Pipits emerged from the fields of the iron age fort. A Mistle Thrush perched obligingly in the sun giving excellent, if rather distant, views. Corvids were well represented on our route, with 32 Jackdaws, nine Carrion Crows, four Magpies, a Raven and a Jay. On our descent one of the day’s three Green Woodpeckers investigated a field, and Migrant Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies gave close views. Crossing the moot on the return leg the rhynes were quiet, but there were distant views of two Grey Herons and a Little Egret. Many thanks to Robin for leading this very pleasant walk, and for the bird list (26 species), and to all for the excellent company. Gareth Roberts