Eleven members met under leaden skies and a fresh breeze for a walk along the cycle path from Shide to Blackwater led by Toni Goodley. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry and we were rewarded with sunny periods during the morning. The highlight of the walk was the excellent close views of a Goldcrest, our smallest breeding bird in the UK. Considering the conditions, we did well to record 28 species during the morning. Other birds seen or heard were; Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Wren, Feral Pigeon, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Chiffchaff, Robin, Moorhen, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Buzzard, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Green Woodpecker, Canada Goose and Grey Heron.
We also had the bonus of seeing a Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly along the Medina plus Speckled Wood and Small White butterflies and a pair of mating Harlequin ladybirds. Jim Baldwin
