The sky was grey, the temperature was a chilly 3C and there was a cold easterly wind when Martin Sell led a hardy group of 7 for a walk around the Aston Upthorpe Downs on Wednesday 20th February. A long row of gulls were resting in the field above the grain store, with the Black-headed Gulls on the left and the Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the right. Soaring Red Kites were much in evidence throughout the walk. The track below Lowbury Hill had deep vehicle ruts and the ground underfoot was wet and slippery, making walking treacherous. A big flock of Lapwings was feeding on the grassy field to the left of the top track, with numbers appearing to be highest in the area with the densest concentration of mole hills. There were good numbers of Fieldfares, but Redwings were noticeably absent. Starlings were also seen in the field with the Lapwings and Fieldfares. Martin spotted a small flock of Golden Plovers, with pointed wings and fast flight. The return track was lined with bushes, and birds flitted through them, mostly Chaffinches and Fieldfares. As the track descended, several Juniper bushes were noted. Along the final section, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard were seen. Everyone then went on to the Red Lion at Blewbury, where there was a welcome fire and three more members joined the party for lunch.
Pictures by Ray Reedman and Jan Haseler