It was disappointing that the first walk of the new season coincided with the end of the reliable weather of recent weeks. Just eight members engaged in denial about the forecast and were greeted by steady rain that soon became unremitting. It was clear that the walk would have to be confined to the lakes area. It began at Cutt Mill Pond where the growing shrubbery made viewing difficult. Eventually two Great Crested Grebes were spotted followed by a couple of Cormorants and a Mallard. Near the Mill a Robin was singing and the fluting voice of a Goldcrest was heard. Then with a harsh cry a Grey Heron fly down to perch at the water’s edge. On then to the Tarn which initially appeared devoid of birds before a Kingfisher flew along the far bank and disappeared into cover. At the second lake a Black-headed Gull and a couple of Coots were added to the morning’s meagre bag. Finally in the woods close to the car park a small feeding flock flitted among the treetops; identification though foggy optics was tricky but the majority were Long-tailed tits with a few Great Tits. The species list totalled twelve.