Ten members took part in a stroll from Ripley Green to the weir and then along the towpath past John Donne’s summerhouse, now appropriately the haunt of house sparrows. A lovely Grey Wagtail appeared on the floating vegetation near the weir. Sadly though the sky was fairly overcast, turning many of the birds into dark silhouettes lacking colour and detail.  Nevertheless the challenge was met with the identification of 35 species, the most numerous being Redwings.  A fair number of tiny Goldcrests searching restlessly for food among the bare branches were also seen. The long-awaited restoration of the bridge across the river to the Wisley golf club encouraged a diversion from the customary route and allowed a viewing of a few somewhat unexpected waterbirds on the edge of the golf course, including Tufted Ducks, Cormorants and Egyptian Geese.  The return past Ockham Mill concluded a most enjoyable walk, the sighting of a handsome singing Mistle Thrush in fine voice crowning the morning.