It was a glorious spring morning and 26 Tuesday walkers set off out of Bridgeyate towards Siston Common and Webbs Heath. Nine species of birds were recorded around the housing estate including Herring Gull, Collared Dove, Dunnock and Starling. As we walked along the Dramway path and down to the stream, a Bullfinch was calling from the hedgerow. A Song…
Category: Trip reports
Trip report: Berrow (17 February 2013)
The planned walk was to watch winter thrushes and Blackcaps feasting on the masses of Sea Buckthorn berries in an area of the dunes at Berrow that gets very little attention from birdwatchers. Unfortunately, the snow fall early in the year heralded the arrival of thousands of birds, which subsequently devoured virtually every single berry. Our meeting point was the…
Trip report: Backwell Lake (12 Febuary 2013)
On a chilly grey morning 22 birdwatchers met at The Perrings, Nailsea for a walk round Backwell Lake and the local countryside towards Chelvey Batch and Manor. Two Little Egrets were on the bank at the lake, one already with breeding plumes but the Goosander which are normally present during winter were absent. However, Tufted Duck, Shoveler and Gadwall were…
Trip report: Norfolk (1 – 4 Feburary 2013)
A Wild Goose Chase and Much More A party of 17 departed Bristol in good order on the Friday morning, 13 in the minibus and four outriders travelling by car; destination – the comfortable Burleigh Hotel in Hunstanton. This was definitely a winter event with weather ranging from bracing to bleak – strong winds throughout and some brief flurries of…
Trip Report: Burnett (29 January 2013)
Elm Farm at Burnett, run by Philippa and John is under a stewardship scheme, so plenty of areas are left uncut and some areas are seeded for wildlife. With the rain after snow it was wet underfoot and the standing water in some fields developed quite well during our walk! Ten walkers were undeterred by the showers and pleased with…
Trip Report: Portbury Wharf (15 January 2013)
Thirty one people met at Portbury for one lap around the reserve on a bright and cold morning. As we started, a Grey Heron flew over and a Robin ticked from the bushes. At a bird feeder those rare birds House Sparrows shared the food with Blue and Great Tits. At the top of Wharf Lane the Little Owl showed…
Trip Report: Blagdon Lake (12 January 2013)
Being retired and a Tuesday birder, it’s not often that I venture forth for a grown-up day at the weekend. As Nigel Milbourne, patch specialist, was leading I made a special effort to attend. I wasn’t disappointed and am sure the others in the group weren’t either. Nigel was confident we would see 50 species during the morning’s walk. BL…
Trip Report: Portishead (8 January 2013)
28 people set off on a very calm day. It was a shame that it was a low tide with no hope of seeing the Purple Sandpipers, but at the start a Grey Wagtail was seen just over the sea wall, with Goldfinch in a nearby tree. Walking along the front to the lake we saw Mallard, four or five…
Trip Report: WWT Slimbridge (1 January 2013)
At least 26 members appeared in the car park (several others arrived later!) After the horrid weather of previous days, it was a joy to arrive in bright sunshine. A perfect morning, added to which it was just after high tide, so the Dumbles and Tack Piece were full of birds, dominated by large flocks of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin…
Trip Report: Northumberland (23rd – 30th May 2012)
Firstly, thank you to Wendy Dickson our leader and guide for showing us the beautiful countryside and bird watching sites of Northumberland. The weather was glorious which enabled our group of 13 to have non-stop bird watching for the whole week. On picking up the mini-bus at Newnham Hall, (expertly driven by Nick and Sue ), we headed north, stopping…
Trip Report: Newport Wetlands (29th May 2012)
The sun was shining when the 20 walkers arrived at the car park and it kept shining all day. We started off from the centre with singing warblers in every bush, including Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and the noisy Cetti’s. It was an ideal day to see Bearded Tits and we were not disappointed. They were seen flying over…
Trip Report: Capel-y-ffyn, near Abergavenny (25th May 2012)
Eleven members assembled on a warm and breezy day in unbroken sunshine in the very scenic Vale of Ewyas. Early birds seen included Swallow, Jackdaw, Blackbird and Dunnock, while a Buzzard soared overhead. An unseen Green Woodpecker yaffled in the distance, and an elusive warbler divided opinions between Garden and Blackcap. As the walk turned uphill, Goldfinch and Carrion Crow…
Trip Report: Hinton Blewitt (22nd May 2012)
At last a bright sunny day and no cold wind! 18 birders arrived opposite the Ring O’ Bells pub to walk through the pretty village and across fields to Litton Reservoirs. A pair of Grey Wagtails, a Pied Wagtail, Coots, Mallard and a Tufted Duck were at the lower reservoir. Water levels were high. The upper reservoir held Dabchicks, two…
Trip Report: Lower Kilcott (20th May 2012)
Although it was overcast with a slight chill in the northerly breeze we had a splendid morning’s walk. We were Phyl Dykes and myself. Where were you all? You really missed an enjoyable morning in superb scenery. Birds were a-plenty with a good mix of residents and migrants in song. We started off with Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Skylark and Yellowhammers. Then,…
Trip Report: Frampton-on-Severn (18th May 2012)
A party of Great Tits (adults + young) greeted us loudly from a horse chestnut tree near the car park as 14 members assembled for a somewhat gloomy evening stroll around Frampton Pools. The Sailing Club lake was quiet apart from a few Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swans and a distant pair of Terns (Common?) that skimmed the water…
Trip Report: Shapwick and Ham Wall (15th May 2012)
Ten of us started walking the windswept track westward. Our first delights were Warblers: Reed, Sedge, Cetti’s, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, and Chiffchaff and only 100 yards covered. The next 100 yards were fantastic; a group of four Hobbies turning, darting, sprinting as they chased Swallows and House Martins. Rising above all this madness 20+ Bar-tailed Godwits fled east. A Buzzard…
Trip Report: BBQ and Nightingales (8th May 2012)
Despite the weather forecast 20 members joined me as we invaded Hazel’s cottage garden on Inglestone Common for our annual BBQ. After the social part of the evening we assembled outside, suitable booted, to enable Hazel to guide the party first by car to the Lodge and then a 20 minute walk along the very muddy Lower Woods paths to…
Trip Report: Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall (6th May 2012)
Fourteen members met up at Ashcott Corner car park for this visit to the dual reserves of Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall. Early highlights included a singing Garden Warbler in the bushes near the car park as well as Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, and other common species on the walk towards Meare Heath lagoon. Overhead, Swallows and Swifts…
Trip report: Newport Wetlands (29th April 2012)
On a day dominated by extreme weather with trees toppled, roads flooded, and constant driving rain and wind, we arrived at Newport Wetlands Centre to find that all of three people (including the leader!) were ready to brave the elements. However the birds were undaunted despite the weather, and we totted up a very respectable tally of 36 species in…
Trip report: Prior’s Wood (24th April 2012)
A glorious day (hardly any rain) and mud glorious mud. Only the leader had her wellies on and a recce just beforehand would have been a good idea (it was done a month earlier when all was dry and the bluebells were just starting)! The bluebells today gave us a good show, but there will be more to come. We…
Trip report: Gordano Valley (17th April 2012)
On a bright spring morning 19 members walked to the end of Moor Lane and along Clevedon Lane listening to the calls of Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Robin, Goldfinch and Chiffchaff. In the adjacent fields Pheasant and Mallards were feeding as well as Swallows and House Martins on the wing. Crossing the moor we disturbed two Roe Deer. Buzzards and Kestrels…
Trip report: Warmley Forest Park (14th April 2012)
Our morning started cold and damp, but with hope of improvement we set off along the brook into the park. Our first bird was a Blackcap moving through the bushes. As we approached the lake a Willow Warbler gave good views singing on the end of a branch. Through the park and on to the common we had more Blackcaps…
Trip report: Castle Combe (10th April 2012)
The threat of April showers did not deter the 19 members who set out from the car park in Castle Combe. Ravens were circling overhead and birds were in full song in the bushes and ancient hedgerows. Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler were joined by Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. The most prolific bird of the day was the Nuthatch…
Trip report: Easton-in-Gordano (3rd April 2012)
26 members arrived at the car park, two off the bus, and we set off across the road and over some fields on a bit of local footpath actually not known to all! Dunnock and Greenfinch were singing to start with and we soon added other common species, but there was some uncertainly about a Sparrowhawk/Kestrel before it started hovering.…
Trip report: Sand Point (31st March 2012)
Eight members met in the car park and were immediately listening to Chiffchaffs seemingly singing from every direction. As we walked up on to the Point a Blackcap sang from a hidden perch close to the path, its sweet song filling the air. Overhead passage was quiet with only a few Meadow Pipits moving. At the end of the Point…
Trip report: Hambrook (27th March 2012)
A magnificent weather day brought out 41 walkers – quite a crowd – to the White Horse car park. The walk was firstly beside the motorway where, thankfully, traffic noise was reduced by the easterly breeze. By the time we had reached Quarry Barton and Bradley Brook Bridge 16 birds, including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Jay and Mallard, had…
Trip report: Bridgeyate (20th March 2012)
26 members gathered on a mild spring morning for this walk through varied habitat. Near the start, some agitated corvids drew attention to a Sparrowhawk which flew into a dense hedge and disappeared. Two Jays were seen and the walk was notable for the number of Jays recorded (eight by this observer.) A Blackcap was heard and then seen sitting…
Trip report: Backwell Lake (13th March 2012)
It was a cool misty morning, but 34 birders arrived in The Perrings to walk around the lake, along Youngwood Lane and out towards Chelvey church and manor. The lake held the usual Coots, Swans and Canada Geese, but seven Shovelers gave us a fly past and there were a pair of Gadwalls, a few Tufted Ducks and a female…
Trip report: Forest of Dean (11th March 2012)
14 members met up at the car park by Speech House on a bright and sunny morning to walk the surrounding woodland and look at the nearby pools. Leaving the car park we observed Nuthatch, Tree Creeper and Redpoll moving through the trees plus a Mistle Thrush. Moving on towards Woorgreens Lake we saw Brambling, Green Woodpecker, more Redpoll, a…
Trip report: River Exe Coach Trip (4th March 2012)
As I arrived to meet up with the club members on the coach at Exminster, the rain which had been heavy all morning in Devon stopped. As we made our way down the lane towards the river, wildfowl such as Teal, Shoveler, Pintail and Wigeon were busy feeding on the flooded pools and in amongst the Wigeon we were rewarded…
Trip report: Forest of Dean (3rd March 2012)
31 members turned out on the annual Tuesday visit to The Forest of Dean. The chosen time was perfect, a bright clear and almost cloudless day, perfect Goshawk watching weather. The Goshawks did not disappoint us. We witnessed some brilliant displays by at least three birds high in the sky, which included an aerial battle between Goshawk and Sparrowhawk, keeping…
Trip report: Mid-Wales (24th – 26th February 2012)
What a treat – three balmy days in West Wales with an accompaniment of glorious soaring Red Kites for the latter part of the outward journey, in an elegant new minibus driven in turn by three cautious drivers over what was often truly exhilarating terrain. Our first luncheon stop alongside Tregaron Bog (Cors Caron) produced the only rainfall of the…
Trip report: Bristol City Centre (21st February 2012)
Drizzle has accompanied us several times when we’ve done the February urban walk and this year was no exception. However, it was very light and intermittent and 18 members set off from Millennium Square without any opened umbrellas. Several Cormorants were soon spotted with breeding patches showing. Searching the buddleia and brambles past the new M-Shed museum was at first…
Trip report: Midford Brook (18th February 2012)
Ten members met at 0930 hrs at Monkton Combe car park for the walk to Midford and back. We had a brief stop to see the grave of Harry Patch in the churchyard, where Goldcrest were seen and we also saw five species of Tits at bird feeders nearby. We went on to Tucking Mill and to the fishing lake,…
Trip report: Greylake (14th February 2012)
On a bright winter’s morning 17 members met at the RSPB Greylake reserve in Somerset to view the mixed flock of wintering wildfowl – Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck plus Mute Swan, Little Egret, Snipe, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lapwing and a very close view from the hide of a Water Rail. Following a picnic lunch we headed for the nearby…
Trip report: Pucklechurch (7th February 2012)
The forecast encouraged 27 walkers this overcast morning; the light levels rendered LBJs virtually colourless! Before we left the Rose and Crown car park, the Thrushes decorating the tall trees had been identified as both Fieldfare and Redwing, the tail-flicking Sparrow as a Dunnock and the flocks of others as House Sparrow. We headed right towards Parkfield where the grass…
Trip report: Portbury (31st January 2012)
27 well clad birders met at Portbury on a cold and dull morning. Some favourites to begin with were Redwing, Robin, Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit. At the top of Wharf Lane the Little Owl showed well and delighted everyone as it glared at us from the barn. Approaching the first hide a Greenfinch showed and a flock of Lapwings flew…
Trip report: Steart (28th January 2012)
Ten members met on, what would be for Steart, an unusually beautiful sunny, windless morning and set off to follow the coast path to Steart Point. The tide was falling by the time the group reached the hides on the Point and the exposed mud was covered with roosting and feeding waders. A mixed flock of many thousands of small…
Trip report: Compton Dando (24th January 2012)
Even the most optimistic forecast didn’t promise dry conditions for this walk and that proved to be correct, as did the Bird News warning about mud! However, ten hardy souls assembled in the drizzle. Before we left the cars a Cormorant was spotted. We set off across a large field, one third of which had been planted with bird friendly…
Trip report: Poole Harbour Weekend (21st – 22nd January 2012)
With stunning heathland to explore, we started at Wareham forest (Sherford Bridge), a potential spot for some of the rarer species, many of which sadly remained elusive! We were treated to a scold or two from the Dartford Warbler however and had excellent views of pair-bonding Ravens on a pylon. There was potential sighting of Crossbill (which had been teasing…
Trip report: Frampton on Severn (17th January 2012)
It was a still chilly morning as 31 Birders gathered to begin their walk around Frampton Pools. The first lake still had ice on it and there were only a handful of Coots skating gingerly around. As we started down the wooded 9 track there was a flock of Long- tailed Tits in the overhead trees flitting from branch to…
Trip report: Golden Valley Wick (14th January 2012)
It was a very cold, frosty but sunny start to this morning meeting. As we walked along the road to the entrance to the valley several members picked up on Redwing, Bullfinch and Blackcaps feeding in bushes on the opposite bank of the river. After entering the reserve we all had good views of Goldcrest and Treecreepers, a real bonus.…
Trip report: Somerset Levels (10th January 2012)
The prospect of the Somerset Levels starling roost attracted 37 members to Ashcott Corner on a dry but overcast afternoon. We first walked down the track to the viewing platform at Ham Wall and soon encountered over a dozen passerines in the willows, alders and surrounding scrub including Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff. Two lucky members also had a good view…
Trip report: WWT Slimbridge (1st January 2012)
At least 23 members appeared in the car park (or later!). As we assembled a Peregrine rushed over us all, heading for a large flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover. We were soon on our way to the Holden Tower, some stopping at hides en route. It took some time to sift through all the birds on view of geese,…
Trip report: Hambrook (27th September 2011)
The benign forecast swelled our numbers this week to 27 who all made the climb out of the White Horse car park towards Winterbourne. Jackdaws aplenty along this stretch of road, and on the Whiteshill cricket pavilion. We struck across country at Pye Corner where one keen eye spotted a circling Sparrowhawk, at a height over the distant tree line.…
Trip report: Brean Down (25th September 2011)
A very wet morning, but ten of us walked up the path to the top of the Down enjoying Ravens and Jackdaws performing aerial acrobatics and a distant Peregrine. Then a male Kestrel flew over.The mud flats held a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, a Cormorant, lots of Shelducks and a few Mallards and Teal. A couple of Curlews and…
Trip report: Portland (17th September 2011)
Nine members met with Jane, our leader for the day, at Ferrybridge car park at 9.30 on a very blustery day with lots of white horses out to sea. High tide coincided with our arrival and the only birds to be seen were a juvenile Herring Gull, a Black-headed Gull and a diminutive wader which appeared to walk under the…
Trip report: Yatton (13th September 2011)
Not a very bright day, with heavy rain early on, so it was not surprising that only ten people turned up. Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Blackbird were seen around the Church, and as we walked down the Gang Wall path the first Chiffchaff was heard and later seen. A Sparrowhawk was seen by a few as it hedge hopped,…
Trip report: Blagdon (6th September 2011)
We had an unpromising start with rain which seldom let up throughout the walk. However 13 of us persevered during which time Gadwall, Sand Martin, and Common Tern put in an appearance on the sheltered side of the lake, taken to give us some protection from the elements. Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard and Swallows and House Martins seemed to…
Trip report: Chew Valley Lake (3rd September 2011)
Ten members met at Herriotts Bridge on a grey overcast morning for this walk around the various areas of the lake. At Herriott’s Bridge and Pool we observed Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, and seven Ruff as well as Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck. A Reed Warbler flew across the reed bed and a Wheatear…