The forecast was for sunshine and showers throughout the day. Not ideal, but certainly good enough weather for a visit to the fabulous Westhay. So, eleven people met in the car park and ventured into the reserve. At the first hide, we had bright sunshine with dramatic grey clouds giving a beautiful light. This nicely showed the plumages of the…
Author: BOC
Tuesday 03 January – Newton St Loe Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Eight intrepid walkers, appropriately suited and booted for the foul weather, met at the church. Our route down to Ripple Effect (formerly Send-a-Cow) was quiet for birds except for a fine flock of Goldfinch; similarly quiet along the wooded lane and the more open track to the waterfall. Maybe the persistent rain had something to do with it. The waterfall…
Sunday 01 January – Slimbridge Leader: Di Bunniss
A group of approximately 25 met in the carpark for the traditional New Year visit to Slimbridge. We were fortunate with the weather, which stayed dry for the main part of the day. As we met up we were already seeing large flocks of Lapwing circling overhead, with their particular ‘floppy wing’ style, and flocks of Greylag Geese and Golden…
Tuesday 27 Dec – Portbury Wharf Leader: Roger Hawley
Fourteen members wishing to undo the effects of too much Christmas food set out for Portbury Wharf on a dull and mild day. The railway bridge is a good viewing point and we had distant views of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Redwings. In Wharf Lane Goldcrest, Chaffinch and Goldfinch were seen, as were the new pylons being erected. From the…
Tuesday 20 Dec – Snuff Mills Leader: Nick Hawkridge
What a lovely day for the last walk before Christmas. We trod the usual path up the south side of the River Frome. The first stretch of woodland was nearly silent but with plenty of tits and Goldcrest to be seen. The rear half of the 15 walkers managed to see Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker and caught up the…
Saturday 17 December – Oldbury Power Station Leader: Pete Hazelwood
An exceptionally rich walk round a still but very cold Oldbury Power Station ended with 60 bird species seen. 14 people met at 08.30 – early enough for the sun to be rising as we travelled there; and many eyes found many birds, including Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and a handsome male Pintail (the latter ducks presumably driven…
Tuesday 13 December – Pensford Leaders : Mike Landon and Alan Craddock
Ten intrepid and initially very cold members set off from the village hall car park. A quick trip across the main road for a peek over the bridges proved fruitless, unfortunately, so we pressed on to the Common where we saw floppy flights of Lapwings heading west. A Green Woodpecker gave us an undulating fly-past followed by the first Sparrowhawk…
Tuesday 06 December – Saltford Leader: Robert Hargreaves
On a dull day 36 walkers set off from The Riverside, where the BOC Christmas lunch was to be held. Shortly after starting a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen, a Mistle Thrush called to show itself, a Grey Heron looked attentive on the river bank and a Sparrowhawk swished by. A Cormorant perched high on a tree. Another birder told…
Saturday 03 December – Eastville Park and Stoke Park Leader: Richard Scantlebury
On a cold but dry day ten of us walked down from Thingwall Park into the Frome Valley, spotting Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit and a total of twelve Redwings in the woodland. Above the river, we had good views of a male Kingfisher, and on the first weir there was a Heron and a Grey Wagtail. Four Stock Doves showed…
Tuesday 29 November – South Stoke Leader: Graham Blacker
Seven intrepid walkers met in the village of South Stoke just south of Bath on a very foggy morning. Setting off along Packhorse Lane we stopped to look across the valley at the fantastic views – apparently you should see Westbury White Horse from here, but we could hardly see the hedgerow. We turned into a field hoping to see…
Tuesday 22 November – Chew Valley and Lake Leader: Mike Landen
It was a lovely November day with sunshine and rather warmer than expected as 28 of us set off from the main car park at the lake towards the dam wall. On the way we saw a couple of Long-tailed Tits. We then managed to see a number of species that included Canada Goose (two), Mallard, Goldeneye (two), Great Crested…
Sunday 20 November – Somerset Levels Leader: Charles Martin
On a bright morning of sunshine and showers nine of us set off on a meandering visit to Ham Wall, pausing at the first viewpoint and boardwalk en route for the Avalon Hide on the far side of the reserve. During our wanderings we saw and/or heard 40 species ranging from smaller birds such as Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and…
Tuesday 15 November – Blaise Estate Leader: Di Bunniss
Despite a dire weather forecast, predicting heavy and continuous rain, an optimistic group of 14 gathered in Blaise car park. As we grappled with the complexities of the ticket machine, the rain eased and by 10:00 we set off in the dry and thankfully it stayed that way. The first birds to be seen were Magpies, gathering near the cafe.…
Sunday 13 November – RSPB Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff Leader: Peter Bryant
The sun was shining as eleven of us including one guest arrived in the Gwent Levels. As we walked to the RSPB stall to peruse the sightings board we passed a set of bird feeders, enabling us to claim a variety of tits and finches as well as a female Pheasant that had established itself below the feeders. Some of…
Tuesday 08 November – Bristol City Docks Leader Alan Craddock
And the Lord said unto Noah.… “ 26 birdwatchers shall thy take and shelter from the driving rains beneath the canopy of We the Curious for oh, 20 minutes or so, before they shall venture forth around the dockside of olde Bristol towne”. And lo, the rain did abate and we set off bravely. We were accompanied by Amanda Tuke…
Saturday 05 November – Frampton on Severn Leader: Mike Jackson
On our way to Court Lake we checked out the gull flock in front of Frampton Court house. Black-headed dominated, with the exception of a single Common Gull, a Herring Gull, plus a lone Greylag Goose. Court Lake was busy with many Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler and Coot, but much fewer Mallard and Moorhen. Six Little Grebe dived together,…
Tuesday 01 November – Bleadon Levels Leader: Jane Cumming
A stormy night left behind a dramatic cloudscape, with the sun breaking through to create vibrant colour-saturated views over this beautiful stretch of fields, levels and river south of Weston STW. Flyover Black-headed Gulls shone white against dark cumulus clouds, Grey Heron and Mallard gleamed against the grey water, and 250 Lapwings flashed black and white underwings as they rose…
Saturday 29 October – Uphill and Bleadon Levels Leader: Jane Cumming
meeting combined a BOC outing with a belated WeBS count, so the group was subjected to a stationary hour on the beach surveying the high tide roosts. The counts of 180 Shelduck and 103 Oystercatcher were much as expected, but other numbers were low – just a few Mallard and Teal, two Wigeon, a handful of Curlews on the Brean…
Tuesday 25 October – Upton Cheney/Swineford Leader: Geoff Hardman
21 of us met in the Upton Inn car park in the fine mild weather; it was good to welcome two who were new to the group. Coming off the rough track, starting the long downhill path through fields we had the unmistakeable flight of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, some fine views to the west and the sight of winter…
Tuesday 18 October – Litton Reservoirs/Hinton Blewitt Leaders: Sue and John Prince
A group of 15 birders met outside the ‘Ring of Bells’ on a misty autumn morning, the sun breaking through as we set off past the church. The first excitement came as we watched Long-tailed Tits in a holly tree and realised that the neighbouring tree held a lovely young male Sparrowhawk. As we walked down the road to Coley…
Monday 17 to Friday 21 October – Lulworth Cove Leader: Alastair Fraser
Day One: Our first day’s bird walk was to Morden Bog a NNR in Wareham forest, a remnant of Dorset’s once extensive heathland. We walked along a sunken footpath lined with oaks and pines, opening out into a heathland of birch, gorse, and sedge tussocks. Fungi were plentiful including Fleecy Milkcap, False Chanterelle, Russula brittle stem, Sulphur Tuft, Boletus, Amanita…
Tuesday 11 October – Priddy Leader: Graham Blacker
On a beautiful autumn morning 17 members assembled on Priddy Green. Graham led us up to the church and through the churchyard to Nine Barrow Lane. We then took a footpath over fields to East Water Lane. Here Nick organised a photograph of the group as one had been taken at the same spot some years earlier. The bird list…
Tuesday 04 October – Badminton Leader: Nick Hawkridge
Any rain encountered en route to our start had ceased and a blowy, autumn morning saw 21 members (three of them still in shorts!) meet. The initial mile or so of this very pleasant walk through an English country estate didn’t turn up many easy to see birds and the paths through the woods were very quiet. However, this was…
Saturday 02 October – Steart WWT Leader: Richard Belson
Seven intrepid birders met in the rain at the WWT Steart Reserve car park at 9.30 and were soon rewarded with a glorious sunny, mild and calm autumn day. Our first stop was the Polden screen. En route we saw a Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, male Blackcap, and several House Martins hawking for insects. Then on to the Quantock Hide where we…
Tuesday 27 Sept – Wapley Bushes Leader: Alan Daniells
There was a real Autumnal chill to the air, and the sun remained hidden behind heavy clouds. Despite the unpromising conditions we had a turn-out of 24 members, two of them wearing shorts! Wapley Bushes is a small reserve owned by the local parish council and managed by volunteers, that provides a variety of valuable habitats for wildlife and green…
Tuesday 20 September – Tickenham Leaders: Jan Pridie and Lois Pryce
15 people met in still warm weather. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard were over the moors. Woodpigeon nestled in the Land Yeo meadow with a youngster without its adult-white neck patch. The usual Pied Wagtails on the golf course, one showing a strikingly white head but without the paler grey back of a proper Alba. Through the woods to Cadbury Camp…
Sunday 18 September – East Devon Leader: Jane Cumming
Nine people met at Seaton Wetlands on a lovely late summer morning. The hides gave us close-up views of the Seaton trams passing by, as well as the waders, gulls and ducks (including a solitary Pintail) on the lagoon and estuary. The first two Kingfishers of the day were spotted, along with a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker, and…
Tuesday 13 September- Backwell Lake Leaders: Sue and John Prince
This walk was a new variation on our usual Backwell Lake walk. We first circuited the lake itself where we saw two dabchicks, two Cormorants, two Grey Herons, and two Little Egrets. A male Gadwall was with the Mallards, most of them in eclipse plumage. A Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly and a Great Spotted Woodpecker called. Across Station Road we…
Tuesday 06 September – Little Sodbury Leader: Alastair Fraser
After a night of intermittent heavy rain, eleven assembled at Little Sodbury and soon Blue Tit, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit were identified in the trees. Jackdaws were present in an adjacent field where the knowledgeable amongst us were able to identify the raised strips as pillow mounds raised for former rabbit warrens. Crossing fields to Horton, Great Spotted Woodpecker was…
Saturday 03 September Chipping Sodbury Common Leader Mike Jackson
It was apparent there is a strengthening interest in this venue, evidenced by the weekend turnout of 16 members. On the lane we saw three Mistle Thrushes (27 had been reported here earlier!). Upon arriving at the common a mixed gathering of House Martins and young Swallows had us debating tail streamer lengths, before we aligned our sight along the…
Tuesday 30 August – Woodchester Valley Leaders: Di and Pete Bunniss
We gathered in the National Trust car park to walk down the valley, circling behind the mansion where the old stables once stood. Not many birds on this stretch but we saw and heard Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Robin and a Buzzard. We continued gently downhill towards the lakes, Wren and Blackcap visible, to arrive at the Boat House, where we…
Tuesday 23 August – Clevedon/Walton picnic Leader: Judy Copeland
Rain en route stopped when we arrived at Clevedon and it became very warm. Only two or three Swallows and House Martins were around the approach to the Golf Course, and only Wren and Chiffchaff tweeted in the hedges beside the long path to the coffee field overlooking the estuary near Walton-in-Gordano. Here we had Green Woodpecker calling, then showing…
Saturday 20 August – Chew Valley Lake Leader: Andy Davis
Seventeen Club members met Andy on Herriotts Bridge. Autumn wader passage was underway, producing three Wood Sandpipers amongst 24 Green Sandpipers, and a Little Ringed Plover as well as 24 Snipe – a good count so early in the autumn. We spent time studying first the waders and then the gulls, picking out a Common and a Yellow-legged Gull amongst…
Tuesday 16 August – Folly Farm Leader: Jean Oliver
Although the great heat of the past week had lessened it was still a very humid day. Thirty members met in the car park and were treated to a light shower, of which there were a number during the morning. Jean led us off to the ‘BOC hedge’ which a number of BOC members had planted some years before. There…
Sunday 14 August – Oldbury Power Station. Leader: Pete Hazelwood
Ten people met early at this decommissioned nuclear power station on the Severn Estuary north of Thornbury, on a day that got rapidly hotter. We circled the northerly dry lagoon (Lagoon 2) with bordering large trees and some secretive side paths, then entered the open estuary embankment with the lovely sight of a flock of 20 Ringed Plovers, nine Dunlins…
Tuesday 09 August – Goblin Combe Leader Alastair Fraser
Twenty-one members met in the middle of the second heatwave of the summer; fortunately we would spend most of our time in the shade of the trees. My expectation of sightings was low due to the heat and time of year but we ended up with a surprisingly good list and some treats. In the first stretch of woodland Alan…
Sunday 07 August – Goldcliff. Leader: Jane Cumming
Goldcliff is a separate and more informal part of the Newport Wetlands on the Bristol Channel coast, consisting of three shallow lagoons / scrapes and a series of small hides. Wet areas are fenced and the reserve is noted for Lapwing and Avocet breeding – though sadly some breached fencing meant little success this year owing to the predations of…
Tuesday 02 August – Hillesley Leader: Graham Blacker
The forecast was for a rather drizzly morning, but 17 of us met in the pretty village of Hillesley. The first field we went through yielded several Whitethroats, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and a huge flock of Linnets. A great start! We moved into open farmland and watched a solo gull quartering a ploughed field. After a period of debate and pondering,…
Sunday 31 July – Marshfield Leader: Nigel Kempson
Despite July 2022 being the driest month in recorded history, five members turned up for a wet walk across the fields in the Rushmead Lane area. The stiff breeze kept the small birds in cover, making them difficult to see. We were treated to a constant background of Yellowhammer song but it was hard work to get more than this.…
Tuesday 26 July – Compton Dando Leader Mike Landen
There was a good turnout of 23 members and one guest for our walk from Compton Dando. We walked through the village towards the bridge over the River Chew and were a little surprised not to see any House Martins. A local resident informed us that there had been nesting birds but they had left after producing just one brood,…
Tuesday 19 July – Eastville Park Leader: Richard Scantlebury
Only six brave souls turned up on the hottest day ever recorded, and my was it hot! Having negotiated the long narrow path through the allotments we were pleased to arrive at Eastville Lake which at least afforded a little shade. Herring and Black-headed gulls were abundant as were Mallard, a few Coot and Moorhen along with two posing Herons.…
Tuesday 12 July – Sand Point/Middle Hope Leader: Graham Blacker
It was an unexpectedly cloudy morning but still very warm, with barely a breath of wind. Heads down for the climb from the NT car park, there was little to distract us apart from a Chiffchaff in full song. Once up top we had Swallows and a couple of Swifts overhead. A few late arrivals caught up so there were…
Tuesday 05 July – Lower Woods Leader: Jean Oliver
Seventeen of us met at the entrance to the Lower Woods Nature Reserve. The weather promised to be fine and dry. We set off along a broad ride through the woodland, admiring the plants in the verge, which brought butterflies but no sign of any bird; no birds until we emerged into a more open space to be greeted by…
Tuesday 28 June – Luckington Leader: Graham Blacker
A delightful walk between Luckington and Sherston on a cool and windy Tuesday. As soon as the group of 21 set off we counted Swifts and House Martins circling the village, with Sparrows chattering in the hedges and Wren calling. On entering the churchyard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Blackcap and Long-tailed Tits were seen. Onward we spotted a Grey Wagtail high…
Saturday 25 June – Crabtree Hill Leader: Alastair Fraser
This was our annual, evening field trip for Nightjars. We met initially at Cannop Ponds, Forest of Dean for a short walk through the woodland alongside the lakes. It was fairly quiet; a couple of singing Blackcaps and Song Thrushes and a family of Long-tailed Tits. There was a good count of Grey Wagtails with at least three family groups…
Tuesday 21 June – Velvet Bottom Leader Nick Hawkridge
Alas there was a traffic problem in Bristol so we lost a couple of car loads of walkers. Nine walkers – including Simon, a veteran member but a new Tuesday walker, started along the path towards the Bottom. A Redstart family was an immediate sighting, followed by Bullfinch, Raven, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff and a Yellowhammer. As the day heated…
Tuesday 14 June – Marshfield Leader: Chris Perry
The walk started with Swifts and Chaffinches near the village and after crossing the main road we had several Corn Buntings and Skylarks in the bushes and fields. Along the track were more Corn Buntings, singing and flying. A Yellowhammer was spotted in a nearby tree adding to our list. As we approached Rushmead Lane three Red Kites and three…
Tuesday 07 June – Felton Common Leader: Melanie Patch
A good crowd (24) turned up in reasonable conditions to crisscross our way over Felton Common. Most of the walk we were accompanied by the singing of Skylarks (parachute flight), Whitethroats (around their territories) and Linnets. A distant Kestrel was monitoring the rustlings from a landing light post, Swallows zipped over the grass at knee height and the House Sparrow…
Tuesday 31 May – River Avon and Longshore Marsh, Pill Leader: Judy Copeland
I didn’t expect a lot from the walk when only one of the Reed Warblers which had serenaded us on the recce produced any song, but there were plenty of Whitethroats – if one could hear them through the din of the M5. 13 people walked past Pill harbour, which produced only a few Mallard, and along the marina to…
Sunday 29 May – Quantocks Leader: Nick Hawkridge
The car park was busy; ominously full of bike-racked cars and vans, but we came through unscathed and even avoided the horses. In dappled sunlight and a fresh breeze we started our tally with Bullfinch, quickly followed by Stock Dove singing its dulcet ‘ooo-ue’ in the woods. Our first target was achieved with singing Wood Warbler closely followed by Pied…
Tuesday 24 May – Ridge Woods, Yate Leader: Alan Daniells
Fourteen members met on a mostly dry day. We were treated to views of a Lesser Whitethroat in the thick hedge bordering the road and two Peregrines which flew over. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, a Greenfinch, a Bullfinch were also heard. Entering the woods we heard Treecreepers and Goldcrests. We passed the rookery which has about 40 nests this year. Although the…
Sunday 22 May – Purbeck Coast Leader: Alastair Fraser
We were fortunate to have a fine and sunny day for our field trip. Coaches are not permitted to enter Worth Matravers so we walked down the road to the village and then towards the coast at Winspit. The route was a Whitethroat alley with several singing males along the way and two Red Kites circling over the hill to…
Tuesday 17 May – Burrington Ham Leader: Clive Burton
Eighteen of us met at the lower car park in Burrington Coombe on a warm, sunny morning. We walked up through the woods onto Burrington Ham. We walked along the flank of Black Down past oak woods and carpets of bluebells. Finally, we walked down the other side of the Coombe to our starting point. Among the bird species we…
Sunday 15 May – Ham Wall Leader: Bob Buck
Eight of us set out along the railway track at Ham Wall on a mild and pleasant morning. Herons showed well, starting with two Glossy Ibis flying low over the path, then regular sightings of Great White Egrets all morning (there are 40 nests in Somerset this spring) as well as Little Egret, Grey Heron and, of course, Bitterns which…
Friday 13 May – Highnam Woods Leader: Gareth Roberts
Lewis Thomson from Gloucester RSPB met twelve of us on a fine and still evening, much to the delight of the local insects. The reserve is managed to encourage Nightingale. This is their most north-westerly breeding site in the UK, the nearest other site may now be Salisbury Plain, most are in the south-east. New strategies are being tried against…
Tuesday 10 May – Angidy trail, Tintern Leader: Graham Blacker
Fifteen lucky people arrived at the Lower Wireworks car park on a fine day at the start of the Angidy Trail, a walk up a tributary valley of the River Wye at Tintern. The walk started steeply through garlic heady woods with the constant sounds of Song Thrush, Wren and Blackcap, joined by Nuthatch and solitary Mistle Thrush and Stock…
8-13 May 2022 – Spanish Steppes Leader: Jane Cumming
The BOC party of 12 joined six others at Plymouth for this tour arranged by Wessex Continental Travel Co. Many were up on deck by 5pm to see what seabirds and cetaceans British waters had to offer, and then at dawn the following morning in the Bay of Biscay. There were many excellent sightings of Common and Striped Dolphins, also…
Saturday 07 May – Blagdon Lake Leader: Nigel Milbourne
Nine members met up with warden, and club member, Nigel Milbourne at the Fishing Lodge. With access to all areas, we were able to go through the conservation barrier at Butcombe Bay, and complete a walk right around the lake – not usually possible under normal access arrangements. We headed out in an anti-clockwise direction, listening to the songs of…
Tuesday 03 May – Puxton Moor Leader: Gareth Roberts
Eighteen of us set out through the churchyard on a cloudy day, hearing good numbers of garden birds. Along the road to Moor Lane we heard the first of nine Reed Warblers in the narrow ditch-side reeds. Some later gave us glimpses. Approaching the AWT reserve we heard Song Thrush and the first of two Lesser Whitethroats was picked out.…
Tuesday 26 April – Leap Valley, Downend Leaders: Joyce Donker and Kate Cashmore
A sunny morning and a delightful walk through varied habitats including field, woodland, narrow country lane and riverside. We left Blackhorse Road to enter an open area of common land with trees and shrubs. There we spotted Starling, Crow, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail. The route led us through woodland carpeted in Bluebells and other wild spring…
Sunday 24 April – New Forest Leader: Jane Cumming
Thirteen people met at Ashley Walk in the New Forest for a walk through open heathland, woodland (some ancient) with closely-grazed glades and intermittent small streams. The weather started cold with a strong north-east wind but remained sunny all day. On the heath, brilliant with thickly flowering gorse, we found two Dartford Warblers, Common Redstarts, Stonechats, Linnets and two surprising…
Saturday 09 April – Sand Point and Middle Hope Leader Matt Hull
Fifteen members met at the car park and were introduced to our substitute leader Matt, a student on his gap year who birded the area most days. We first heard Blackcap and Chiffchaff and soon had good views of both species. Walking up the hill we startled a Jay. From the ridge, looking down on the mud of Sand Bay,…
19-22 April 2022 – Mid-Wales Leaders: Kate Cashmore and Clive Burton
Thirteen of us met at at Llangasty Church on the south side of Llangorse Lake, just east of Brecon. The lake is a large shallow natural lake, good for fish, plants and invertebrates and therefore birds, including Garganey, Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier. In the reed beds in front of the hide we had good views of a male…
Tuesday 19 April – Northend, Bath Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Sixteen people met in Northend village on a fine day. Greenfinches and Collared Doves sang close by. As we set off up the hill our leader pointed out the remains of last year’s House Martins’ nests; the village usually has a good population. We commenced the long uphill slog to Little Solisbury Hill. Reaching the top we were greeted by…
Tuesday 12 April – Barrow Gurney Leader: Geoff Harris
Surprisingly, only 16 turned up for this lovely walk although the weather forecast had not been optimistic. Immediately we left the car park we saw Green Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff and Great Tit along with many other usual suspects, so many in fact we thought we may as well stay put for the three hours! We all continued heading towards Barrow…
Tuesday 05 April – Hanham Leaders: Karen Birmingham, Jean Oliver, Jenny Weeks
There were 26 of us who set off on a blustery dry day, up through broadleaved woodlands carpeted with wood anemones, celandines and other spring flowers, through open grassland and back along the River Avon past the heronry. Between us we saw or heard 34 species including a pair of Bullfinches and Greenfinch, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Chiffchaff,…
Tuesday 29 March – Castle Combe Leader: Geoff Hardman
There was a healthy turnout of 20 birders, keen to enjoy a nice Spring day. The group had a pleasant walk across fields, spotting Redwing as we went, and down through the almost impossibly picturesque village. We paused at the bridge over the brook where we heard a distant Nuthatch calling. There was plenty of birdsong in the trees around…
Tuesday 22 March – River Avon Leader: Judy Copeland
What a glorious day for a walk. We disappeared into the confines of Leigh Woods where Sue Prince’s sharp ears picked out many of the usual woodland species as we walked towards the river, but I think we all managed Chiffchaff and Nuthatch, and she later got a Blackcap. A woodland clearing with useful stumps provided an idyllic setting for…
Saturday 19 March – Portbury Wharf Leader: Judy Copeland
Eleven people set off along Sheepway Lane on a beautiful but chilly morning. A Goldcrest was heard in a tree bordering the road, and for the first part of the walk along the path between hedges we were reliant on those with sharp ears but most of us heard the first of four Chiffchaffs. We had a new birder with…
Tuesday 15 March – Coalpit Heath Leader: Mike Jackson
The House Sparrow and Greenfinch calls faded as we left the village. The first Ash yielded our first star bird, a roosting Little Owl. Onwards past the still short crops, Skylark song persisted, Buzzards predictably soared and a couple of Meadow Pipits poked about in the adjacent grassland. At Ram Hill, two Mistle Thrushes were prominent in a horse paddock…
Tuesday 08 March – Frampton on Severn Leader Alastair Fraser
A rather bitter wind greeted the twenty two members at Frampton. The route includes several lakes, hedgerow, woodland and open arable fields. Smaller birds were keeping their heads down in the keen wind and proved hard to find but we saw or heard a surprising number of Chiffchaffs in the woodland. Small groups of Redwing were still around and we…
Sunday 06 March – Forest of Dean Leader: Jane Cumming
On a chilly, overcast morning with a moderate north-east wind, a dozen members gathered at the raptor lookout at New Fancy View. The first to arrive were treated to a wonderful view of a pair of Crossbill in the top of a pine just yards away. Siskin chased each other over the valley but never came close. The only Goshawk…
Tuesday 01 March – Forest of Dean Leader: Nick Hawkridge
Despite being an overcast morning with a chill wind and mediocre weather forecast 26 people mustered at New Fancy View, hopeful of seeing Goshawk, Crossbill and whatever else. Goshawks are notoriously elusive, hunt within the tree cover and it wasn’t the weather for the spring display flight, so we weren’t optimistic. At the viewpoint, facing straight into the wind and…
Sunday 27 February – Clevedon Pill and Wains Hill Leader: Jane Cumming
This walk began inauspiciously with a low tide and the news that Dowlais Lane was closed until 1st April, so rather than follow the usual route down to the River Kenn roost, we started with a walk over Wains Hill to look for woodland species until the tide rose a bit. There was plenty of song from Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins…
Tuesday 22 February – Uphill Leader: Colin Hawkins
Nine of us met on a cold, windy morning, thinking that maybe a lie in followed by a leisurely breakfast would have been a better idea. We watched a group of Oystercatchers sheltering from the wind, whilst we thought about the best course of action. The sight of a woman in just a bathing costume (and gloves!) splashing around in…
Saturday 19 – 22 February – Cornwall weekend Leader: Jane Cumming
Our group of 13 was based near St Just. Day one started at Hayle’s Carnsew Pool, showing Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Greenshank, Sinensis Cormorants with extensive white head areas, and Little Grebes; another visit added Shags. At Hayle Estuary, we saw Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey and Ringed Plover, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Common and Yellow-legged Gull,…
Tuesday 15 February – Old Down/Tockington Leader: Sue Black
The wind roared, the rain poured, but despite the appalling weather six birders had gathered at Tockington playing field to await the leader! Never say bird watchers are not up for a challenge! We set off in good heart, noting several gulls (Common and Black-headed) on the playing field, plus a Magpie and Robin, a good start. The horses galloped…
Tuesday 08 February – Winscombe Leader: Sue Watson
21 set off across fields, quickly finding good numbers of House Sparrows, Woodpigeons, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Starlings, Greenfinches, Redwings, and Gulls above – Black-headed, Common and Lesser Black-backed . The first of several Bullfinches was heard and a Song Thrush found the highest view point. We passed two donkeys before climbing Sandford Hill. Four Ravens “churred” overhead. Long-tailed Tits…
Sunday 06 February – Exe Coach Trip Leader: Jane Cumming
23 members joined the coach. Fields through Somerset and Devon held scores to hundreds of gulls, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Canada and Brent Geese, and a Pochard in a pond. First stop Dawlish Warren front for a high tide sea watch, seeing Gannets, Great Crested Grebe, Turnstone, Cormorants and Shags, and a flock of eleven Common Scoter nicely visible flying and…
Tuesday 01 February – Lansdown Leaders: Anne Crowe and Graham Blacker
26 people gathered at Lansdown Park and Ride. Keen eyes picked up a distant Mistle Thrush as we crossed the road to the racecourse. The weather was better than expected with some sun and blue sky but we battled with a strong west wind along the track; then up to the golf course to be greeted by a tame Stonechat…
Tuesday 25 January – Bridgeyate Leader: Geoff Hardman
Instead of one of those misty, moist winter mornings with shafts of sunlight catching the seasonal colours, 25 members set out on a wall to wall grey morning, some of us in hope of seeing the Red Kite which has been spotted in this area on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, it eluded us today. However, before we set out our leader…
Saturday 22 January – Marshfield Leader: Sue Kempson
26 intrepid birders met at Tanners Close for this morning only meeting. For Marshfield the conditions were good with a temperature of two degrees, clear sky and no wind. Following the usual route down the track and over the fields we saw and heard Skylarks, with a few Yellowhammers around the paddock and Stonechat on the fence. There were plentiful…
Tuesday 18 January – Dolebury Warren Leader: Mark Watson
On a chilly, cloudy day 22 members met at the Crown in Churchill for a walk over Dolebury Warren. As we set off up the slope from the pub car park Jackdaws were in the trees along with Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Wren and the first of several Robins. A solitary Greenfinch was seen by some and a…
Tuesday 11 February – Hambrook Leaders: Joyce Donker and Kate Cashmore
Twenty five walkers met at the White Horse, Hambrook, on a mild overcast but dry day. Beyond the car park, we met the Frome, and from the old bridge, watched our first Dipper of the day. We followed the Frome Valley Walkway to a road bridge, below which were Mallard and Moorhen. Then we saw Blue and Great Tits, Robin,…
Sunday 09 January – Westhay Moor NNR Leader : Nigel Kempson
A slightly earlier start than normal for 13 members including the leader but it was worth it. Our route took us up Dagg’s Lane Drove and over to London Drove. Along the way we visited a number of hides with varying success but avoided The Mire as it was flooded. The weather was benign although there was a little sun…
Tuesday 04 January – Hengrove Mounds and Manor Woods Leader : Graham Blacker
17 members turned out on a cold and windy morning for a dual site trip. The first was Hengrove Mounds, a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) cared for by Avon Wildlife Trust. The mounds are doughnut shaped and we were able to walk around the rim. The birds were not impressed with the weather but by the end of…
Tuesday 28 December – Snuff Mills Leader: Nick Hawkridge
The climb through the woods south of the river was noisy – the wind thrashing the trees and the River Frome gushing over the weirs. SO it was only a few tits, Woodpigeons and Crows in the tops, with the cackle of a Magpie and the squawk of a Jay being all we could hear. As 13 of us wandered…
Tuesday 21 December – Between Chew and Blagdon Lakes Leaders: Sue and John Prince
Herons Green, Chew Valley Lake, on an overcast cold morning, was the venue for 22 of us to meet for a walk over Breach Hill and down past Blagdon Lake and the Ubley hatchery. Before setting out we saw a pair of Goldeneyes, two dabchicks, and a flyover Cattle Egret. As we climbed the lane we passed a field full…
Sunday 19 December – Chew Valley Lake Leader: John Rossetti
An intrepid group turned up at Herriott’s Bridge on this cold damp morning. While we hoped to be looking AT Chew Valley Lake, for most of the time we were looking FOR the lake as thick fog rolled in and around. The forecast suggested a brightening later on, but it turned out this must have been a forecast for somewhere…
Tuesday 07 December – Portishead Leader: Geoff Harris
We started in rain but finished, thankfully, without rain. The lake was only marginally wetter – it did however contain the usual mix of Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Black-headed Gull. They were all nicely concentrated around a local lady, who arrived on a red mobility scooter with what looked like the contents of a bakery. Up…
Tuesday 30 November – Cheddar Reservoir/Cheddar Yeo Leader: Mark Watson
The wind was strong and the drizzle heavy as 18 members set off alongside the Reservoir. We saw six Tufted Ducks on the rough water and six Great Crested Grebes, and a Cormorant on a buoy. A few Pied Wagtails were in the paddock below us. Coot numbers were high with well over 1200 estimated and a few Black-headed Gulls…
Sunday 28 November – Newport Wetlands Leader: Mike Jackson
We gathered in bright sunshine, belying the freezing air temperature. First stop was the feeding station where the usual suspects gave us some easy ticks. In the extensive reed beds we immediately targeted Bearded Tit but none showed for us despite checking every little brown job we saw which were invariably Reed Bunting. Little Grebe, Mallard and Starling all appeared,…
Tuesday 23 November – Hawkesbury Upton Leader: Nick Hawkridge
The mist and cold stayed with us all day, but being well coated and gloved it meant nothing to 24 walkers at Hawkesbury Upton. The Chaffinches, Starlings and House Sparrows that decorated the roofs and TV aerials in the village were keeping strange company – a Common Gull, so close that views of all its characteristic markings were plain to…
Tuesday 16 November – Arlingham Leader: Alastair Fraser
Arlingham is an area of mixed farming adjacent to the tidal river, situated on a bend in the Severn just south of Gloucester. Seventeen of us met on a dry day, overcast with some sunny spells, for a walk of just under four miles. We had a variety of woodland birds including a Great Spotted Woodpecker as we began our…
Saturday 13 November – Eastville Park and Stoke Park. Leader Richard Scantlebury
Six members assembled for this walk. At the river we had immediate success as almost the first tree had a Great Spotted Woodpecker. As we were watching that, a Sparrowhawk appeared overhead. Further down the path we came across a pair of Jays then a party of Long-tailed Tits, one of which appeared to have lost its tail – very…
Tuesday 09 November – Wick and Golden Valley Leader: David Body
Fourteen of us met at the Rose and Crown pub for a four mile walk along the River Boyd and through woods to the flooded quarry, and across fields and lanes. Although it was fairly quiet 31 species were seen, including twelve Common Gulls, a female Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, seven Fieldfares, and two Redwings. A large flock of Woodpigeons was…
Saturday 06 November – RSPB Greylake Leader: Robert Hargreaves
Eight of us met in the car park at 10:00. We started with a walk up the south side to the screen. It was too windy for Bearded Tits but we heard a Chiffchaff and Sparrowhawk, saw Stonechat, Buzzard, Kestrel, and the first field had a few hundred Lapwings, a Great White Egret, Greenfinch and Linnet. At the screen there…
Tuesday 02 November – Stanton Drew Leader Alan Craddock
Twenty-four of us set out from Stanton Drew heading for Pensford on a cool and bright morning. We stopped at the farm by the Church to pick out a mixture of a Wren, Robins and House Sparrows in amongst the shrubs and brambles. There was a mixture of gulls (including Common Gull) and corvids around the standing stones, with the…
Saturday 30 October – Blagdon Lake Leader: Nigel Milbourne
Eleven members met at the Blagdon Lake Fishing Lodge at 10:00, some having previously taken a look along the dam where some Grey Wagtails and Little Grebe were seen. Weather was 10-14C with a fairly stiff breeze making it feel quite cold. Despite heavy overnight rain, it was dry except for a short heavy shower during the return part of…
Tuesday 26 October – Bleadon Levels Nature Reserve Leader: Jane Cumming
This new venue attracted 26 walkers despite the damp and overcast weather. When I arrived to find the car park full of birders I said “What are you all doing here? There won’t be any birds”, having seen very little during a scouting visit a couple of weeks earlier. How wrong I was! – we had 49 species. At first…