BOC Sodbury Common is always a magnet for migrating passerines, with late August known for its maximum passage. But what about when it‘s windy? Twelve of us, including a very welcome new member, left Chipping Sodbury to walk the drive that leads to the golf course. 20 House Sparrows, a Chiffchaff and a Collared Dove were … Read more
After weeks of warm and dry weather, the forecast was for wind and rain. Nevertheless 17 turned up for this summer holiday meeting, including seven children and students, from four families. We met just before high tide and spent some time at New Passage looking at the waders, some quite distant. A flock of 120 … Read more
The first part of the walk took place on a series of paths and trackways, including one “secret passageway”, enclosed on both sides with high stone walls, where we could not be seen, which felt rather mysterious. As 15 of us crossed fields, butterflies were in abundance, including the Green-veined White, and branches were bowing … Read more
Twenty-seven of us, including new member Ian, set off from the car park at Tyntesfield on this new-to-BOC three mile walk. Initially, we heard more than we saw including Nuthatch, Jay, Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker chipping away. Jean introduced us to a “Chicken of the woods” fungus to sniff and pass around! Walking … Read more
The eleven members who gathered on this hot and sunny morning were a good mix of new birders and old wader hands. We set off past the Land Yeo where a Moorhen fussed over her two chicks and on to the edge of the Pill where the tide, barely halfway up, still exposed a wide … Read more
Phew! It was hot, so much so that Jane decided to change the route whereby we walked through the woods rather than over Wains Hill and we were very grateful. First bird spotted was a Great Black-backed Gull on the swimming lake. Walking through the woods we spotted a mixed flock of Blue, Long-tailed and … Read more
A slightly earlier start than usual saw three members join the leader on a warm sunny morning. Activity at the Lake had been quiet for some time and expectations were not high. The water level was low so many of the water birds were distant. Despite this a total of 36 species were recorded. This … Read more
Seventeen of us met near Walton-in-Gordano on a dry, warm morning. Various habitats were promised: managed wetland (seasonally dry), woodland and heath. Straightaway we saw a Grey Heron flapping off close by, and a Buzzard circling in the distance. On the path across the moorland reserve we saw several Swallows, had a good view of … Read more
Birding can be hard going in August; most breeding is over and birds are less visible as they prepare to moult. We still managed 32 species plus Roe Deer and Hare. The dew pond near the car park attracts numerous Swallow and House Martin dropping down for a drink. In spite of the long, dry … Read more
Thirteen members met for a very hot and humid walk from the pretty Cotswold village of Hillesley with parties of Swifts darting overhead. The countryside and views were fabulous and very soon after starting our walk we had good views of a Whitethroat sitting on top of an ear of corn. A little further on … Read more
