10 Almondsbury
We’ve lived in Almondsbury for over 20 years and have, by Bristol standards, a large garden. I am not a keen
gardener, so after years of slaving over the garden we decided to let it tend itself. We have large numbers of
fruit and other trees, with a lovely secluded area full of old trees (including several Scots Pine), growing wild.
I have always loved garden birds, without knowing very much about them and confess to almost obsessive
numbers of feeders. We have been repaid by resident Robin, with two broods this year, Dunnock and
Blackbird; Blue Tits nest in a box on our porch, and annually we have Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Coal Tit,
Great Tit, all with young, and at least one Wren. We have counted at least 13 Long-tailed Tit together. Of
course we have Magpie – on one occasion 14 in our Lime - Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Carrion Crow,
plus Jackdaw probably nesting in a disused chimney.
Less frequent yearly visitors are Jay, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Great Spotted and Green
Woodpecker. Greenfinch are occasional, with one sighting earlier this year. When we arrived in Almondsbury,
Fieldfare fed on windfalls in January, but they disappeared until one was seen in the garden this spring during
heavy snow. At that time our first Buzzard was in our cherry tree. Last year we saw our first Chiffchaff. A
favourite sighting was a birdbath-bathing Sparrowhawk. Though unseen, we often hear nocturnal Tawny Owl.
Vera Carpenter
