There was a good turn out of around 25 people for the July walk, led by Paul Beard. Following recent heavy rain, with more forecast for midday, there were no objectors to the choice of the ever popular Brackenfield loop. Although most participants made it as far as Miller’s Lane before the first showers came, only a handful continued on the planned route from there.
Forty-four species were noted down by the scribe: Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Buzzard, Common Whitethroat, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Grey Wagtail, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jay, Kestrel, Little Egret, Magpie, Mallard, Nuthatch, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Sedge Warbler, Song Thrush, Swallow, Swift, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.
Few butterflies were seen, and of just two species: Meadow Brown and Ringlet.