Despite the forecast 8 people had a dry and pleasant walk at Horsell Common.

Throughout the woodland areas we heard numerous Robins, Nuthatches, Wrens, Great and Blue Tits and a few Chaffinches. Several Firecrests were heard at close quarters, but remained elusive for some. Great Spotted Woodpeckers drummed and later a small flock of Goldfinches were heard and a Blackbird seen.

On the heathland Greenfinches could be heard and Buzzards and Red Kites showed well. A few Stonechats and Dartfords were seen briefly, despite the at times blustery wind.

Further on across the heath were Coal Tits and a small group of Siskins feeding actively in the conifers, along with Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff, and a brief snatch of both Dunnock and Blackcap songs were heard. Corvids and a few Parakeets were present throughout.

At McLaren Park, there were several more Red Kites, and Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were displaying and singing, coping amazingly with the increasing wind.

The final habitat was the fields and water meadows on the return to Heather Farm, where Starlings, Stock Doves, Black-headed and Herring Gulls, and Canada and Greylag Geese were all seen, and a Green Woodpecker taunted us with its yaffle.

Back at Heather Farm Wetlands a Kestrel, a couple of Coots, and a solitary Egyptian Goose added to the total of 40 species seen and/or heard.