The Spring Bird Walk took place on the morning of 29 April, a bright but cool day after some weeks of very mixed but mainly dry weather. Seven people participated, and the 26 species listed below were recorded – three more than on last year’s Spring Walk. Of the ‘classic’ summer visitors we recorded Swallow, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. The Whitethroats were particularly noteworthy, as one was singing in Area A – i.e. near the Catholic church – and had been noted singing in that area of South Stoke Road for some time (and continued to be seen and heard subsequently). It was in fact a good week for warblers, as several Blackcaps were singing, and a Willow Warbler had been heard and seen in Area A on 21 April.
Red-legged Partridge (C)
Pheasant (B, C)
Buzzard (B, C)
Red Kite (A, B, C)
Woodpigeon (A, C)
Skylark (A, C)
Magpie (A)
Carrion Crow (A, B)
Blue Tit (B, C)
Great Tit (B, C)
Swallow (C: small flock of 5+)
Whitethroat (A, C)
Chiffchaff (B)
Blackcap (B, C)
Nuthatch (B)
Wren (B, C)
Dunnock (A, C)
Starling (A)
House Sparrow (A)
(Robin (A, B, C)
Blackbird (A, C)
Song Thrush (A, B – population recovering?)
Chaffinch (A, C)
Greenfinch (A, C)
Goldfinch (A)
Yellowhammer (C – possibly two males)