Dull and damp turned to blue and sunny as John Parlby led 14 of us on a delightful circular route , passing Brackenfield Church and flower filled meadows to the Amber. Here a vote was taken to continue our progress past stone properties near the dam wall and along South Hill Lane with views over the reservoir below .
56 species were encountered including 2 of owl delighting us all, not least the incredible camouflage of a Little Owl hiding in the crevice of a tree .
Little Grebe , Great Crested Grebe , Cormorant, Grey Heron , Mute Swan , Greylag Goose , Canada Goose , Mallard , Pochard , Tufted Duck , Buzzard , Kestrel , Pheasant , Moorhen , Coot , Oystercatcher , Lapwing , Black – Headed Gull , Lesser Black-backed Gull , Common Tern , Wood Pigeon , Stock Dove , Barn Owl , Little Owl , Great Spotted Woodpecker ,Swift , Sand Martin , Swallow , Grey Wagtail , Pied Wagtail , Wren , Dunnock , Robin , Song Thrush , Mistle Thrush , Blackbird , Whitethroat , Blackcap , Chiffchaff , Willow Warbler , Goldcrest , Long-tailed Tit , Blue Tit , Coal Tit , Great Tit , Jay , Magpie , Jackdaw , Carrion Crow , House Sparrow , Chaffinch , Greenfinch , Goldfinch , Yellowhammer , Reed Bunting , Nuthatch