The 2023 Summer Walk took place on the morning of 10 June, with two participants. The weather was hot and humid, and had been exceptionally dry over the preceding weeks. The following 26 species were recorded. The corn bunting – perched very prominently for some time on top of a tree near the far end of the walk – was a new species for our list, though these birds can be observed regularly by the Icknield Road/South Stoke Road crossroads. Disappointingly, however, no swallows, martins, or swifts were observed, reflecting the almost total collapse of these species in our area in recent years.
Buzzard (A)
Kestrel (A)
Red Kite (A, B, C)
Woodpigeon (A, B, C)
Skylark (C)
Magpie (B)
Jackdaw (B)
Carrion Crow (A, B, C)
Long-tailed Tit (B)
Coal Tit (B)
Blue Tit (B, C)
Great Tit (B)
Nuthatch (B)
Whitethroat (C)
Blackcap (A, B, C)
Chiffchaff (B)
Goldcrest (B)
Wren (B)
Dunnock (C)
Robin (B)
Blackbird (B)
Song Thrush (B)
House Sparrow (A – numbers seem to be on the increase)
Chaffinch (B)
Yellowhammer (C – a single male)
Corn Bunting (C – a single bird on a prominent perch)