An amazing 51 walkers attended for this popular visit to the rewilding site owned by Belmont Estate. We split into two groups and set off in opposite directions to cover the route over the different habitats. We were blessed with good sunshine after the recent gloomy weather and rain. The new wetland area was fairly quiet but Kingfisher, Mute Swan,…
Author: BOC
Tuesday 18 February – Dolebury Warren Leader: Jacky Tonkin
Twenty one members met at the Crown Inn car park on a nice bright fresh day. We started off towards the lower woods spotting a couple of Magpies. A Green Woodpecker was glimpsed flying off to a far tree. Then started the steep rocky climb through the woods. Just past the map/sign for the warren a couple of Tree-creepers were…
Tuesday 11 February – Cheddar Reservoir/Yeo Leaders: Nick Jobson Wicks & Elaine Lambert
Twenty Five of us set out on a grey, cold morning. The first section was around part of the reservoir where we saw a Black-necked Grebe and a good number of Pochard. We then headed to the reservoir on farmland, and alongside rhines, leading us eventually into Axbridge. It was very muddy in places which proved a bit of a…
Sunday 09 February – Exe Estuary Leader: Judy Copeland
27 of us boarded the coach for the annual trip to the Exe estuary. We had a smooth journey to our starting point at Exminster Marshes Nature Reserve. An easy walk to the canal followed where we could look over the marshes to see Canada Geese, Brent Geese, Curlew and a Marsh Harrier hunting. We then walked on to The…
Tuesday 04 February – Winscombe Leader: Beth Yates
Eleven of us set off from a windy car park in Winscombe for a lovely walk on a grey February day. We headed up the path and across fields as a flock of Starlings flew over. As we watched a number of birds including Redwing, Chaffinch and Goldfinch moving along the hedgerows, a Green Woodpecker that had been feeding in…
31 January to 2nd February – Poole Harbour Leader: Nick Page
21 of us left Bristol heading to Poole Harbour. Our first stop was Upton Park which is a council owned public space with a walled garden, woodland and a view over Holes Bay. Here we saw Avocet, Pintail and Snipe among other wetland and woodland species. On to Hamworthy Park to see the long-staying Snow Bunting. We found it hopping…
Dorset trip 31 Jan – 2 Feb 2025 with Photos Leader Nick Page
The report can be found here
Tuesday 28 January – Bridgeyate Leader: Geoff Hardman
Fourteen hardy souls gathered at the Griffin PH car park. After a rainy start, we entered a mature housing estate and were delayed by a barrage of song from unseen birds. We saw the usual Crows and Jackdaws and were then treated to a Red Kite sailing over. We saw various feeders and were delighted to see lots of Blue…
Saturday 25 January – Marshfield Leader: Mike Jackson
Around 20 of us gathered in freezing but sunny conditions for a birding feast. Lacking Corn Bunting we had to be satisfied with two Grey Partridges, 200 Common Gulls and 165 Lapwings. Two Buzzards and a Kestrel perched about a horse paddock, overlooking ground feeding Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush, and Starlings. Along the side road was a sizeable flock of…
Tuesday 21 January – Brean Down Leader: Graham Blacker
Nineteen walkers enjoyed a lovely sunny walk at Brean Down. The birdwatching started with Shelduck, Sanderling and Dunlin visible on the shorefront. We also saw Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Making our way up 213 steep steps we saw Stonechats, Robins, Blue Tits, Dunnocks, a Pheasant and a Wren. The weather was lovely and the views from the top…
Tuesday 14 January – Burrington Combe Leader: Clive Burton
Twenty-five members met at the bottom of Burrington Combe on a rather overcast morning. We set off along a lane and then followed a stony path up through the woods until we reached the more open ground at the top of Burrington Ham. The woods were rather quiet, but Robins, Wrens, Blue Tits and Great Tits and several Coal Tits…
Saturday 11 January – Steart Marshes Leaders: Elaine Lambert and Nick Jobson-Wicks
Eighteen of us met at Steart Marshes for a cold frosty start with icy puddles and partially frozen lagoons. We covered a three mile loop showing off some of the best bits of the marshes. Highlights included seeing a Water Rail, a Little Stint, the odd Snipe and best of all, one ‘mega’ for most of us, a Least Sandpiper.…
Tuesday 07 January – Three Brooks Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke Leader: Jean Oliver
After a cold night with rain and a sprinkling of snow, 28 people gathered on a bright, sunny, but cold morning. The Three Brooks Nature Reserve was, for me, a completely new location. Though surrounded by roads, houses and the M4, it is a surprising natural oasis. We set off northwards through a muddy Savage’s Wood, quiet apart from an…
Sunday 05 January – Greylake/Levels Leader: Giles Morris
Over 20 of us gathered in the car park. The first excitement was a sighting of a female Merlin which had been around for a week or so preying on the Snipe. The duck numbers were good, with Teal and Wigeon making up the majority. A little searching revealed a small group of Pintail, but the Baikal Teal was not…
Wednesday 01 January 2025 – Slimbridge Leaders: Di Bunniss and Graham Blacker
Five adventurous birders ignored the amber weather warnings to meet at Slimbridge for the first BOC gathering of 2025. We made a dry start in the Peng Observatory where we had excellent views of beautiful Pintail and many noisy Bewick’s Swans. In the Rushy hide we managed to get brilliant views of a Spoonbill feeding, sweeping its bill from side…
Tuesday 31 December – Dyrham Leader: Caron Thornton-Trippet
Thirty-four of us gathered on a mild, blustery but dry day for a very enjoyable walk to bring in the New Year, with a new route and new leader. Caron had negotiated the route with a local farmer, and told us lots of interesting details about the area, including the Battle of Hinton fought in AD577 between the West Saxons…
Tuesday 24 December – Blaise Castle Leader: Di Bunniss
A dozen members met for the Christmas Eve walk on a day that was initially grey but got gradually brighter. We paused at the church to see the ‘Slave Grave’, then walked up the broad ride seeing a Song Thrush and two Jays. Coal Tits were singing their slurred two tone call in the treetops. As we reached the stream,…
Tuesday 17 December – Wapley Bushes Leader: Alan Daniels
Sixteen birders set off from the nature reserve entrance on a dull, slightly drizzly day, but the rain soon stopped. A flock of 19 Long-tailed Tits were seen at the start. We walked along the edge of a field with a Magpie and a Blackbird in the grass, while hearing a Song Thrush singing from the trees. A Wren flew…
Saturday 14 December – Chew Valley Lake Leaders : Robert Hargreaves, Anne Crowe
Twelve of us met at Herriotts, with some faces that were new to me. ‘Good to meet you’. As we arrived the start of a mostly blue sky opened up. In the hour we spent there, we found nine Shelducks, 20 Shovelers, three Pintails, 40 Teals, twelve Pochards, two Water Rails, 25 Lapwings, 80 Cormorants, three species of Herons (Ardea…
Tuesday 10 December – Saltford Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Thirty-one members met at the Riverside pub car park for a somewhat cold and windy walk along the Shallows of the River Avon, with a higher ground option for those who didn’t mind braving the muddy hill. Despite having less than ideal conditions, there was plenty to see – 29 species in total, including fifty winter visiting Redwings, two Mistle…
Tuesday 03 December – Velvet Bottom Leader: Graham Blacker
A fresh morning, with disappearing mist suggested a sunny day, but this never quite materialised and the 16 of us had pleasant enough light cloud and fair visibility. Immediately a Kestrel flew into a nearby ash tree, but that was the only real interest for the first mile or so through the terracing, buddle pits and disturbed ground of former…
Saturday 30 November – Eastville Park/Stoke Park Leader: Richard Scantlebury
A dozen members had a nice walk around the Park, all benefiting from our leader’s extensive knowledge of the site. The walk down to the river yielded several Goldcrests, Wrens, Blue Tits and Long-tailed Tits as well as two Song Thrushes and a Jay. Three Redwings flew over us. On the river path, we immediately stopped to enjoy a Kingfisher…
Tuesday 26 November – Snuff Mills- 30th anniversary walk Leader: Graham Blacker
A large group of 30 gathered at Snuff Mills to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary of Tuesday walks and we managed to record a total of 30 species as well ! After a weekend of storms and floods we were blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine. Setting off along the path beside the raging river, we walked up away…
Tuesday 19 November – Upton Cheyney Leader: Geoff Hardman
Just six intrepid walkers met at The Upton Inn. We set off down the hill cheered by a Chaffinch and a Pied Wagtail landing on the path before us. Jackdaws greeted us as we came into Bitton but as we skirted the churchyard and took to the soggy fields the rain turned to snow! Small birds were scarce, except by…
Tuesday 12 November – Ashton Court Leader: Graham Blacker T
Thirty-four members turned up for a beautiful four mile walk through the estate, taking an alternative route through woodland, because the deer park was temporarily closed. Smaller birds were very thin on the ground – Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were seen but no Nuthatches or Treecreepers. Jays called from the woodland and two Buzzards overhead were being mobbed by…
Sunday 10 November – Newport Wetlands Leader: Peter Bryant
Eleven people met up at the Wetlands, greeted by some blue sky breaking a fortnight of cyclonic gloom. Multiple Cetti’s Warblers were calling everywhere. The visitor centre area and pond gave us Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Magpies, Goldfinches, Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and a Pied Wagtail. On the way to the main path we had some good…
Tuesday 05 November – Bleadon Levels Nature Reserve Leader: Jane Cumming
The meeting place for 20 members was the car park at the Weston Sewage Treatments Works. From the car park we saw a large flock of Canada Geese, with the total count for the morning being 100. Our route followed part of the Brean Down Way which was opened in 2017 and runs from Weston-super-Mare to the fort on Brean…
Tuesday 01 October – Woodchester Park Leader: Di Bunniss
Thirteen of us gathered in the National Trust car park in the fog and light rain for the four mile walk through Woodchester Park, near Stroud. Walking down the driveway to the Mansion we didn’t see or hear many birds, but we did admire the Belted Galloways carrying out their conservation grazing in the parkland. Once past the mansion –…
Tuesday 24 September – Tickenham Leaders: Jan Pridie and Lois Pryce
Eleven walkers met during a lucky interlude of mild and still weather after days of torrential rain, and it was generally reasonable underfoot. Overlooking Tickenham and Nailsea Moors, we saw a Hobby, Buzzards and Kestrels, Great White and Little Egret with Rooks, Grey Herons and Stonechat, and hundreds of Black-headed Gulls on flooded areas with Herring Gulls and Mallards. The…
Tuesday 17 September – Badminton Leader: Graham Blacker
Twenty-four walkers gathered outside the village hall on a sunny day. Graham had kindly stepped in to lead at short notice and displayed excellent map reading skills. An early highlight was a group of over 500 Swallows on wires over the ploughed fields. The coffee break Buzzard was trumped by one of three Red Kites. The woodland was quiet but…
Saturday 14 September – Sodbury Common Leader: Peter Bryant
Just six of us, including a new member, enjoyed a walk around CSC in fine and dry weather. We spotted a bright Chiffchaff as we passed the Golf Club entrance but the Common itself was inexplicably quiet (the warblers reported the day before had seemingly moved on). The most numerous birds were Goldfinches – a ‘charm’ of c80 flew around…
Tuesday 10 September- Folly Farm Leader: Jean Oliver
Fifteen members gathered at Folly Farm. It was an extremely windy day but dry and overcast. We set off at 10:00 into Folly Wood along a barked path. Not many sighting of birds but we heard a few Blue Tits and Robins. At 11:00 more people joined us. We were all excited to see a bird at last, a Green…
Sunday 08 September – Oldbury Power Station Leader: Di Bunniss
Despite the dire forecast of heavy rain, the eight of us gathered had a very dry and sunny morning. The first stop was at the lake where we watched the Coots, Moorhens, Cormorant and one Little Grebe. Walking around the reed beds we heard Chiffchaff, Robin, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Once in sight of the river we saw…
Tuesday 03 Sept – Little Sodbury. Leader: Nick Hawkridge
A Goldcrest was our first species, hovering in the trees by St Adeline’s church, just by our departure point. A dedicated party of 13 were entertained by a Kestrel in the fields just above the now heavily screened reservoir. The pull up Horton Hill seemed long but a Blackcap, a Tit flock and accompanying finches went some way to making…
Saturday 31 August – Goldcliff Lagoons Leader: Peter Bryant
Swallows and House Martins were flying overhead as we arrived at Goldcliff. A dozen members enjoyed dry and fair weather although conditions were not ideal as a couple of the pools had dried out completely and the tide was out. The walk started with a pair of Stonechats perched on a fence and a fly-past Marsh Harrier. Monks Lagoon held…
Tuesday 27 August – Barrow Gurney Leader: Graham Blacker
On a slightly grey Tuesday morning, with a balmy southerly wind, 19 BOC members including two new recruits met in a car park in Barrow Gurney. As we set off the sighting of the day flew straight towards, and over, us; a Marsh Harrier! With plenty of Swallows and Martins around, we set off uphill and a squirrel amused us…
Tuesday 20 August – Priddy Leader: Graham Blacker
Sixteen people set out from Priddy Green rightly optimistic that the rain would stop. We walked up through the churchyard before zigzagging our way towards the Nine Barrows at the top. A few tits and Wrens were calling as we walked up until someone called out a Sparrowhawk overhead. A large flock of Jackdaws and a few Crows and Magpies…
Sunday 18 August – Blagdon Lake Leader: Nigel Milbourne
Six members joined me to have a look around the lake, albeit mainly using our cars rather than walking any great distances. We started at the south end of the dam where we saw the usual Common Sandpiper on the wall and scanned the west end of the lake carefully. Due to an angling competition being held at the same…
Tuesday 13 August – Lower Woods Leader: Jean Oliver
There was a healthy turnout of 17 members. It had been a while since I’d been out with the Tuesday group, and it was great to reconnect with the friendly folk. A distant Raven got the bird count off to a good start. We set off from the car park down a lovely woodland path. There weren’t many birds but…
Saturday 10 August – Clevedon Pill Leader: Jane Cumming
Seven of us set off around the little harbour on an overcast and windy morning that did not bode well for passerines, and we searched in vain for small birds around the salt marsh. However, a Common Sandpiper was seen from the slipway and we scanned 70 Black-headed Gulls hoping for a Mediterranean Gull, with no success. 68 Mallards in…
Tuesday 06 August – Sodbury Common Leader: Alan Daniell
Sixteen of us set off on a fine sunny morning, House Sparrows chirping away as we approached the Common. Starlings and Wood Pigeons on nearby wires quietly watched us cross the cattle grid and a Green Woodpecker welcomed us noisily. Our leader called us to the gate overlooking the adjoining golf course where we enjoyed excellent views of a Mistle…
Tuesday 30 July – Clevedon/Walton Common Leader: Judy Copeland
The heat put off a lot of people, rising to 26C+ and making it very hot in full sun, and we clocked in with 12 of us. Up on the golf course were a dozen or so Herring Gulls and two Lesser Black-backed, a Pheasant and some Jackdaws, also Blue and Long-tailed Tits, and Bullfinch was heard. No Swallows at…
Tuesday 23 July – Frampton on Severn Leader: Alistair Fraser
Twenty-one of us birders met in a car park in Frampton on Severn. The weather was dull with a threat of rain. Luckily we had only light drizzle for a few minutes and the morning ended in bright sunshine. The habitat was varied consisting of a sailing lake and pool, mature trees, hedgerows, open grassland and fields of wheat and…
Sunday 21 July – Lower Woods, Wickwar Leader: Linda Moysey
Seven of us met to explore the largest area of ancient woodland in the South West. The weather was overcast to start so we did not see as many butterflies as expected, but numbers were also clearly down too, as has been noticed in many places this summer. Marsh Tit and Nuthatch showed well as we parked our cars. The…
Tuesday 16 July – Felton Common (Picnic walk) Leader: Melanie Patch
Twenty members met for the walk. It was cloudy, 15C, with a breeze but the threatened showers didn’t really appear. A Kestrel was hovering by the church as we set off. We walked up the western hedge boundary and saw Skylarks in flight and perched on the bracken. We took a path behind the old football pitch and found a…
Tuesday 09 July – Eastville Park Leader: Rich Scantlebury
Fourteen birders set out without their delayed leader. Starlings and two varieties of gull, Lesser Black-backed and Herring, and a Sparrowhawk were seen and Blackcaps and Chiffchaff were singing as we carried on down the hill where Rich met us at the bottom. A Song Thrush was singing loudly as we approached the Lake to find Coots and Moorhens with…
Tuesday 02 July – Compton Dando Leader: Mike Landen
There was a good turnout of 22 members for our walk from Compton Dando. We had a good start as a Red Kite was seen in flight just as we were about to start and as we walked through the village, we added Jackdaw and Goldfinch but we did not see any of the usual species from the bridge over…
Saturday 29 June – Crabtree Hill, Forest of Dean Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Nine of us met at 20:00 in the Speech House car park, Forest of Dean. It was good to welcome three who were new to the group. The weather was fine and mild as we set off on our roundabout route to the top of the hill. Walking up through the trees, Siskins and Goldcrests were heard, followed by more…
Tuesday 25 June – Saltford Leader: Robert Hargreaves
On a hot midsummer morning 26 of us met at St Mary’s Church Saltford for a beautiful three mile walk, a Buzzard hanging high in the sky above us. As we set off along back lanes down to the marina a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker were seen and Chiffchaffs were heard. At the marina we watched a Grey…
Saturday 22 June – Marshfield Leader: Robert Hargreaves
This was the standard walk from Marshfield, down the chest-high grass of Northfield Lane, on to Rushmead Farm, and back by Rushmead Lane. This walk was on a beautiful sunny evening. There was lots of song from Corn Buntings, Skylarks and Yellowhammers all the way through. A very distant Red Kite was caught in a telescope. Swifts, Swallows and House…
Tuesday 18 June – Lower Failand Leader: Alan Craddock
22 of us met outside St Bartholomew’s church at Lower Failand. House Martins were flying around the church as we set off down the lane on a bright sunny morning. A Great Spotted Woodpecker provided our first sighting, along with a distant Greenfinch. Chiffchaff, Wren and Blackcaps were pretty much constant song companions throughout the walk. One of our group…
Tuesday 11 June – Backwell Lake Leaders: Sue and John Princ
It was a fine cool morning with some sun and a light breeze. Twenty birdwatchers enjoyed a circuit of the lake, where we saw a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Moorhen, and Coots with a nest. Blackcaps sang, a Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs were prominent. The Mute Swans still have six cygnets but the Canada Goose goslings appear…
Tuesday 04 June – Sand Point Leader: Nick Hawkridge
Overcast, with rain in the air, but the beauty of this area could not be diminished. A Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat were heard up the path but no Stonechat at the trig point. A fresh, west wind whipped about us but only a couple of Shelducks and a few large gulls showed in the bay. Swallows and Swifts appeared as…
Saturday 01 June – Stockhill Woods Leader: Graham Blacker
On a glorious sunny morning albeit with a chilly wind four birders joined Graham, two of whom were attending a BOC trip for the first time. A Red Kite was spotted before we set off, which boded well. We crossed the road to the Mineries and recorded both Meadow and Tree Pipit. There was also Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Willow and…
Tuesday 28 May – Pilning and New Passage Leader: Lois Pryce
The forecast was for almost constant rain, but 15 brave members attended and luckily we barely got wet. Waders on foreshore, saltmarsh and pools included Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Whimbrel. Avocet, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and young, with Canada Geese, Shelduck, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Coot and Moorhen, a Mute Swan pair with five small…
Saturday 25 May – Tintern, Angidy Trail Leader: Graham Blacker
A glorious sunny day saw six of us set off from the car park, where already we had spotted a pair of Grey Wagtails. As we climbed up into the wood above the river we were regaled by numerous songbirds: Song Thrush, Blackcap, Wren, Robin, and Dunnock, all singing almost constantly and from all sides! A Goldcrest burst into song…
Tuesday 21 May – Leap Valley Leaders: Joyce Donkor and Kate Cashmore
Nineteen people set off on a warm sunny day to explore this valley tucked away in East Bristol. We crossed the community field where Magpies and Jackdaws foraged in the grass and Feral and Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves flew among the trees, and a Herring Gull flew over. On entering the wood, a Song Thrush was singing. Further along,…
Sunday 19 May – Quantocks Leader: Nick Hawkridge
Our party of eight had travelled to Holford in promising sunshine, which persisted all day with a steady north-east breeze. Before entering Hodder’s Combe proper, a pair of Swallows were a delight to see over the houses. Up to the first ford we encountered a pair of Stock Doves “coo-wuping” together on the west fringe of the woods, a Grey…
Tuesday 14 May – Tintern, Angidy Trail Leader: Graham Blacker
Seventeen members met to walk the trail. From the car park we saw a very pale Buzzard. We set off up a very steep path and we heard Song Thrush all the way to the top. We entered Glyn Woods and we heard Goldcrest, 12 Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Blackcap and more Song Thrushes. We stopped by a pond and two of…
Sunday 12 May – Ham Wall Leader: Nick Page
Five of us met in the car park on a lovely morning and were surprised at how much the reserve had dried out after the recent flooding. Some members went on the Bristol Naturalist?s walk that was also happening that day. We bumped into each other a few times and shared our sightings. Ham Wall is alive with birds in…
Friday 10 May – Highnam Woods Leader: Lewis Thomson
Fifteen of us met in the evening in the hopes of hearing Nightingale in one of their last local strongholds. Lewis, the RSPB warden for Gloucestershire, led us around the reserve explaining how they manage it for the iconic songsters. He pointed out many different fauna and flora and answered our questions on these topics. The reserve has many species…
Tuesday 07 May – Oldbury Power Station Leader: Di Bunniss
We had a wonderful walk at Oldbury Power station with a group of 31 people in total. We spotted a Buzzard while waiting for everyone to arrive at the car park. The sun was shining and became quite warm during the walk. Lots of song by Chiffchaffs and Blackbirds along the way. There was a debate whether we were hearing…
Saturday 04 May – Inglestone Common Leader: Mike Jackson
Five of us met in Lower Woods car park on a gloriously sunny morning where we watched a Coal Tit taking food to its concealed nest on the other side of the garden wall of the Lodge. As we set off for the Common, a Willow Warbler sang, psychologically helping us cope with the standing water that was persistently underfoot.…
Tuesday 30 April – Puxton Moor Leader: Gareth Roberts
Twenty walkers met by the church with its leaning tower for a walk round Avon Wildlife Trust’s Puxton Moor reserve. The cold wind initially had the birds keeping their heads down, but it settled and the sun brought some warmth. Leaving the village a flock of 13 Canada Geese flew over, and four Swallows in the distance. Along the road…
24 April to 01 May – Isles of Scilly Leader: Jane Cumming
Fifteen BOC members travelled to the Isles of Scilly, most taking the ‘Scillonian III’ ferry from Penzance. The sea was calm for the crossing and we were immediately rewarded by four Eider in Penzance harbour and a few Great Northern Divers. As the crossing progressed we saw large numbers of Manx Shearwater, Gannets, Shags and a Fulmar. We were advised…
Tuesday 23 April – Marshfield Leader: Chris Perry
Our party of 29 were mostly prepared for the chilly north wind that saw us zipping up our coats and fleeces good and tight. An obliging Corn Bunting stayed on its wire until we’d trooped over the road up the lane and could stand virtually beneath it. Skylark started to sing, a couple of Swallows headed east over the track…
Sunday 21 April – RSPB Franchises Lodge, New Forest Leader: Izzy (RSPB)
Five members made the trip to Franchises Lodge, the only inland RSPB reserve in the New Forest. Izzy, the reserve manager, led us around a large and varied woodland and described the ongoing work to build a mosaic habitat including felling and removal of rhododendron. A Wood Warbler was heard in the car park and it didn’t take long to…
Tuesday 16 April – Hanham Mills Leader: Karen Birmingham
Thirty walkers set out on a bright and breezy day through woodland full of wood anemones, wild garlic and bluebells, and then back along the River Avon past the heronry. Thirty six bird species were seen or heard including a Treecreeper feeding its mate, Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Moorhen, Buzzard, ten Mallard ducklings and, of course, the Grey Herons.…
Saturday 13 April – Sand Point / Middle Hope Leader: Giles Morris
This joint walk with the Bristol Naturalists’ Society had more than 30 people meet in the car park with high hopes of hearing Grasshopper Warbler and seeing some spring migrants. It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the lovely views as well as good company. The birds did not disappoint either with displaying Whitethroat and Linnet at Sand…
Tuesday 09 April – Bath Skyline Leader: Graham Blacker
Seventeen members met at the overflow car park of the American Museum, a re-arranged meeting place as the original meeting point was inaccessible due to road works. Coran, a new member, met with us for the first time. Wind gusts up to 35mph and cold temperatures meant that bird sightings were fewer than usual. We were rewarded early on with…
Tuesday 02 April – Between the Lakes Leader: Jean Oliver
Twenty Five of us met at Herons Green for a walk between Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes, after the planned walk at Folly Farm was cancelled due to flooding. Spring had arrived with several wild flowers in bloom, birds carrying nesting material, including Jackdaws that were making their home at the top of the Obelisk on Breach Hill, and birdsong…
Tuesday 26 March – Bristol Centre Leader: Alan Craddock
Eighteen members assembled in Millenium Square for a thankfully dry stroll around the docks. Our first halt was outside the Arnolfini where Rich Scantlebury gave us pointers on gull plumage and identified a young Great Black -backed Gull in amongst the immature Herring Gulls. Two Canada Geese, a Cormorant and a Moorhen were locally in attendance. Moving along past M…
20 – 27 March – BOC trip to Portugal – Lisbon, Alentejo and the Algarve Tour guides: João Jara (first day), António Cotáo, Miguel Rodrigues Organiser: Alastair Fraser
THE REPORT CAN BE FOUND HERE https://bristolornithologicalclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BOC-trip-Portugal-2024.pdf
Tuesday 19 March Burnett – Elm Farm Leader: Philippa Paget
Thirty people gathered in the farmyard in fine, sunny weather. Philippa gave a short talk on the set-up and ethos of the farm. We set-off across the fields, spotting a distant Red Kite and then a closer Kestrel. The trees and hedges of the field boundaries were filled with Chaffinches and bright Yellowhammers in pleasing numbers; Skylarks sang along as…
Tuesday 12 March – Luckington Leader: Graham Blacker
Seven turned up on a very wet day. We set off towards Luckington Court and saw our first of many (40+) Woodpigeons and (100+) Jackdaws. It was hard to spot the birds in all the rain but we heard Robin, Goldcrest, Wren, Mallard, Treecreeper and Great Tit. We did spot a lone male Chaffinch in the trees and a number…
Sunday 10 March – Forest of Dean Leader: Nick Page
Thirteen of us started at a closed in, but dry, New Fancy View. Unfortunately, the birds did not play ball. Goshawks were seen before and after our time there. Some Siskins offered good views, as did a pair of Bullfinches on the way back to the cars. Next stop was Cannop Ponds, where many tits and finches provided quite the…
Tuesday 05 March – Forest of Dean Leader: Nick Hawkridge
The day was glorious, sun, no rain and little wind. People arrived, changed and shot up to the viewing platform at New Fancy View. I recall seeing 27 members but many other birders arrived too, who obviously felt the day had potential. Goshawk gave one brief, but good view and a few more of the ‘distant’ sort, Some calling Crossbills,…
Saturday 02 March – Portbury Wharf Leader: Peter Bryant
Unfortunately, this walk had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions (Snow!)
Tuesday 27 February – Castle Combe Leader: Geoff Hardman
Eleven members met for our walk at Castle Combe, reputed to be one of England’s most beautiful villages. After tackling the complexities of the parking app we were able to set off on this lovely walk which led through the village, along footpaths, through wooded areas and open fields, past ponds and along quiet country lanes. From the car park…
23 – 26 February – BOC West Cornwall Trip Leader: Jane Cumming
Twelve of us met on Friday morning and after loading our minibus we headed for the Hayle estuary, arriving just before high tide to see a good variety of gulls and shore birds. These included two Knot, two Dunlin and groups of Redshank, Goosander, Teal, Turnstones and ‘barwits’. Across the road in RSPB Ryan’s Field we enjoyed a first winter…
Tuesday 20 February – Watercress Farm Leader: Alastair Fraser
On a rare dry day 66 members turned up to find the leader was sporting wellies. The recent rain resulted in a lot of mud. Watercress Farm has rewilding and rewetting projects and the latter appears to be going very well. Before we set off a Red Kite flew over, which was a good start. The group turned into a…
Sunday 18 February – River Exe Coach Trip Leader: Gordon Youdale
The weather for this trip was warm, dry and with a little sunshine, a change from usually expected conditions. The first part of the trip took us on a walk from Exminster to Powderham. Looking across the RSPB marshes we could see many species of wildfowl with Canada and Brent Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal and Lapwing. A Water Rail…
Tuesday 13 February – Pensford Leaders: Alan Craddock and Mike Landen
Thirteen of us met up at Pensford on an overcast morning, although it was quite mild for this time of year. Shortly after the start we heard and then had a good view of a Song Thrush. As we passed through the village, we saw a Collared Dove and a number of House Sparrows. Crossing the fields we found a…
Tuesday 06 February – Northend, Bath Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Fifteen people met at Eagle Road in Northend village on a rather gloomy, windy day. As we set off through the village we heard the hooting Collared Doves. We commenced the long uphill slog to Little Solsbury Hill, to the sound of common small birds. After pausing to view a group of Redwings in distant trees we finally reached the…
Sunday 04 February – Chew Valley Lake Leader: Robin Martin
Eleven members met at Herriotts Bridge on an initially blustery and cloudy day with the weather improving as the walk progressed. Two new members attended their first field meeting and we hope the weather conditions did not put them off attending future meetings. At Herriotts Bridge there was a large roost of gulls including a single Yellow-legged Gull and a…
Tuesday 30 January – Uphill/Walborough AWT. Leader: Colin Hawkins
It was a very cold day with a biting northerly wind when our group of 22 gathered on the beach to scan the shoreline and local area. We soon spotted Shelduck, Dunlin and Oystercatchers with a lone Sanderling, pale silver and white, scurrying along the shoreline with the gulls. When the icy wind became too much we headed back along…
Saturday 27 January – Marshfield. Leader: Nigel Kempson
Ten members turned up for this walk around the Rushmead Lane area of Marshfield. It was a dull, dry and windless day and, perhaps because of this, we could not see any large flocks of birds from the main road. The only taster was a compliant Buzzard on a distant post clearly displaying the diagnostic breast band. Commencing the walk,…
Tuesday 23 January – Shapwick/Ham Wall. Leader: Sue Watson
beyond the carpark but sadly it did not show itself. We found large numbers of Mute Swans, a flock of Lapwings soaring plus Coot and many ducks. Groups of Wigeons and colourful Shovelers, 200 of each and nearly as many smart looking Gadwalls. A variety of other usual duck species were fairly numerous with the noticeable exception of Mallards, where…
Tuesday 16 January – River Avon – Leigh Woods to Ham Green. Leader: Judy Copeland
22 people came together at Abbots Leigh and thanks to beautiful weather we had a lovely morning’s walk, despite the near-freezing temperature. Long-tailed Tits were waiting to greet us at the entrance to the Leigh Court drive and there was, of course, a Buzzard in view on a tree. Magpies were everywhere (highest count 22!) and Jackdaws and Crows much…
Saturday 13 January – Oldbury Power Station. Leader: Pete Hazelwood
16 people met on a chilly grey day. We started our walk through the orchard and soon spotted Fieldfares, adding all the other commonly seen thrushes including Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrushes over time. Along the shore line we saw a variety of waders including Curlew, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank, and a number of ducks including Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck. Three…
Tuesday 09 January – Litton Reservoirs/Hinton Blewitt. Leaders: Sue and John Princ
On a chilly morning 21 birdwatchers set off from Hinton Blewitt. There were plenty of Goldfinches about, with a few Redwings, Greenfinches, and two Chaffinches. As we walked down the steep hill towards Coley we saw Long-tailed Tits and two Goldcrests. We heard, then saw, a Nuthatch. The rivers were running high and fast in the village, and water levels…
Tuesday 02 January – Hengrove Mounds/Manor Woods. Leader: Graham Blacker
Five of us turned up the day storm ‘Gerrit’ hit and did it ever rain! We started with a circular and very muddy walk around the mounds where not a lot was to be seen other than around a dozen Goldfinches to start with a few Herring Gulls and many Black-headed Gulls. Making use of the seating at the Beach…
Monday 01 January – Slimbridge WWT. Leader Di Bunniss
21 members met in the car park of Slimbridge on a dry but overcast day, and the only leading was to the main entrance! Once through, the group always scatter as they head for the various hides. As usual some headed straight for the Holden Tower Hide which has great views over the fields towards the Severn estuary, while others…
Tuesday 26 December -Snuff Mills Leader Nick Hawkridge
As the Song Thrush sang and the Jay foraged, we 14 set off along the usual route. A Moorhen on the river had found a refuge in the middle of the madly rushing water and up the first stretch were Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, the usual Blue and Great Tit all foraging among the trees and never stopping for a moment.…
Tuesday 19 December – Goblin Combe Leader: Alastair Fraser
The heavy overnight rain was still falling as I arrived at Goblin Combe. My hope of a swift return home was confounded when seven other people turned up so I was compelled to lead the walk. We thought we would be lucky to see the Buzzard perched in its usual tree near the car park, but a dark shape appeared,…
Saturday 16 December – Chew Valley Lake Leader: Alan Daniels
Eight members met at Herriotts Bridge on an overcast day, about 10c with a south-westerly breeze. The water was quite high with few if any waders about. 27 species were present on the pool and the lake including four Egyptian Geese, Great White Egret, a Goldeneye and an unusual Tufted Duck with a bright blue stripe across its bill. Moving…
Tuesday 12 December – Saltford Leader: Robert Hargreaves
On an unexpectedly sunny day over 40 walkers met at The Riverside, where the BOC Christmas lunch was to be held. We set off, looking at the very high river level, for our flexible walk. Most took the higher path, affording interesting views and seeing common small birds including two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush and seven…
Tuesday 05 December – Chew Valley Leader: Mike Landen
It was a dull, cold day so it was not surprising that just 15 of us arrived at Chew Magna, the new meeting place for this walk. The first part of the walk was quiet with mainly common species including Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit. Turning off Denny Lane the path widens out. We soon spotted a mixed flock of…
Saturday 02 December – Eastville Park Leader: Rich Scantlebury
Five hardy members met, two of whom were new to the club, myself included. This was my first walk with the BOC. The weather was very cold, still and foggy. Frost laden spider webs were in great abundance throughout the morning. With the weather conditions what they were we had to rely on hearing as well as visual identification. The…
Tuesday 28 November – Lansdown, Bath Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Fourteen people set off from Lansdown P&R for an almost five mile level walk; weather, though gloomy remained dry and still. We set off across the playing field passing the first of over a hundred Common Gulls, and then skirted the racecourse. At the busy roadside we found a small group of Collared Doves and a fine pair of Stonechats.…