Field trip reports

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 followed by our first Swallow before a Green Woodpecker broke cover to fly overhead, conveniently alighting on a nearby telegraph pole affording excellent views for all.  Once on the Common it took a while to get our eyes in.  A couple of calling birds were just not showing in the bluster of the wind but a Bullfinch flew, a Blackcap showed, and two Greenfinches passed over.  A female Redstart was briefly sighted but then persisted in calling unseen from low in a bush.  Passing Herring Gulls and a Buzzard were easily noted, until a small charm of Goldfinches was seen feeding on knapweed.  Now past midpoint, a Whinchat perched atop a Hawthorn bush, then further on another in a Dog Rose tangle, accompanying a Whitethroat and a Linnet.  We approached the cattle but nothing was flushed by their hooves until our tail-enders caught sight of a single Yellow Wagtail.  Two Skylarks were flushed from the now windswept grassland as we returned towards town to see 40 or so aerial Jackdaws, giving us a total of 30 species. Thanks to Alan for keeping score and to Peter for leading Mike Jackson

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 Ringed Plovers put on a good flying display, together with 80 Oystercatchers, and 180 Black-headed Gulls. There were 80 Curlews on the salt marsh, one of which turned out to be a Whimbrel on review of a photograph. Closer in, around the creek, were Canada Geese, a Little Egret, ten Redshanks, and a Common Sandpiper. Walking to the wetland area we passed a bush with 25 Goldfinches, and ten Linnets were seen. At the first pool were Gadwall and ten Teal, a Grey Heron, and four Black-tailed Godwits. 120 Starlings were in the field behind. An enjoyable morning, and the rain held off until the end. Thanks to Robin for leading, and to Graham for keeping the bird list. 37 species in all. Gareth Roberts

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 under the weight of autumn fruit, including heavy crops of sloe. Moving on past the church and through a wooded area, we heard Green Woodpeckers and the ubiquitous Chiffchaff. Sadly, Monk’s Pool had completely dried up. Graham’s marketing for this meeting promised “camaraderie and connection”. Interesting that he didn’t promise any birds! In fact by this point he was concerned that we were going to see the fewest number of birds ever. However, Jean soon made a dramatic observation – a Peregrine sitting motionless on top of a pylon just yards away, as we were crossing a footbridge. This was undoubtedly the highlight of our walk, especially when viewed through a ‘scope. A couple of Ravens were also seen around this point. Soon afterwards we found the rare Scarlet Clover, a lucky survivor in the recently cut flower meadow. Towards the end of the walk a large group of Jackdaws and Rooks were noted. Reputations were restored when the final count reached 21 species. Thanks to Peter for a wonderful walk Jan Jones

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 past the emus (or were they rheas?) and a surprising wallaby, we crossed into fields to find a number of Crows and Wood Pigeons, a few Swallows and a couple of House Martins flying overhead. A Green Woodpecker was spotted. During early coffee break we watched a mixed species flock of 150, mainly Jackdaws with some Crows, rise up to reveal a Buzzard and the first of our day’s two Ravens. Continuing along the river Yeo towards Watercress Farm, we saw, amongst others, Kestrel, Wheatear, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and two Little Egrets. Roe deer were seen in a distant field. A Common Darter dragonfly was identified. Taking the bridle path back to Tyntesfield, we were treated to a sighting of four to six Spotted Flycatchers as our final and, in my opinion, the best birds of the day.  Total species seen or heard was 31.  Thanks to Alastair for keeping the bird count and to Jean for leading and sharing this fine walk with us. Sarah Neale

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 expanse of creeks and salt marsh.  We spent some time scanning through Herring and Black-headed Gulls, picking out an Oystercatcher, a couple of Curlews, a Common Sandpiper and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A couple of members spotted a Kingfisher shooting away up a creek.  On round to the sluice where the creeks were full of Mallard and the Blind Yeo produced two more Moorhens.  On the shoreline again, we settled onto a block of concrete to scan the long offshore line of Blackstone Rocks, shrinking rapidly as the tide rose but still holding a Grey Heron, two Little Egrets, plenty of Oystercatchers and Curlews and half a dozen Turnstones.  A flock of small waders dropped onto the shore, giving us great views of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, and took off again just as a Sparrowhawk shot past low over the grass.  Strolling on south, we practised our ID skills on bird silhouettes along the fence line in the harsh sunlight.  Most proved to be Linnets but we were delighted to find a foraging Whinchat.  Sharp-eared John twice heard a Yellow Wagtail calling in flight but we were unable to locate it.  Dowlais Pool was completely dry and the litoral was fairly birdless until we reached the two farm gates overlooking the River Kenn with the tide now full.  We spent the rest of our time scanning the roost which produced 32 mostly adult Shelducks, another 65 Mallard, 28 Oystercatchers, three Whimbrel, amongst 43 Curlew, 115 Redshanks, a Ringed Plover (and John claims a Little Ringed Plover that promptly slipped out of sight).  A Peregrine dived through, scattering the waders before climbing off high over the sea.  As the tide started to fall, people began to drift back to Clevedon, but the last three diehards found 13 Ringed Plovers roosting quietly on the first bit of exposed mud, a Pied Wagtail back at the Pill, and 20 Swallows on telegraph wires in Clevedon.  My particular thanks to John Lewis for list-keeping (total: 34 species) and to all who carried telescopes all the way down to the roost and shared them for a good look at the waders.  (Thanks to Jane for leading.) Jane Cumming

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 Great Tits, plus Chiffchaff. Approaching the coastal path a soaring Peregrine was spotted by most of the 13 of us, lucky for some! As we proceeded along the path not a lot was seen until we reached the Pill where we had many Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed gulls, two Common Sandpipers, Shelduck, Little Egret, lots of Mallards, plus Meadow Pipit and House Martin. We were hoping for Redshank but they remained elusive.  Little was seen on reaching the sluice apart from a couple of Moorhens. On the return leg we noticed a couple of Swallows on overhead wires and heard a Coal Tit in the trees beside the lovely church of St Andrew. After spotting 27 species we returned to the cars after a very enjoyable walk which was very well led by Jane Graham Blacker

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 included Swallow, Spotted Flycatcher and Lapwing. The best sighting was a Peregrine attempting to bag a mallard for lunch. It flew behind some trees so we don’t know the outcome. A pleasant summer morning in a lovely part of the valley.   (Thanks to Beth for leading) Beth Yates

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 a Whitethroat and heard Skylarks. A Roe Deer was seen quite close, and a Sparrowhawk by some. A few House Martins were flying among the Swallows. Up in the woodland above the moor birds were quite quiet but a group of Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper and Jays were spotted. Some of the group saw a Hobby fly over the top of the ridge, and others a Grey Wagtail as we walked back to the cars. A Little Egret appeared as we were preparing to leave. A lovely, varied walk. Thanks to Graham for leading it. In all, 35 bird species were noted, plus some interesting plants, two Roe Deer and two frogs. Sue Cullimore

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 spell, it was still deep enough for a Mute Swan and a Little Egret.  More Egrets were in the re-wetted field with a flash of a Kingfisher. A Kestrel hunted over the dry pasture, a Red Kite soared in the distance and Buzzard circled over the woodland. The old rail siding is a good place for breeding Whitethroat and we saw several adults and juveniles. Yellowhammer seems less common on the site these days but we found one in a hedge in the southern fields, with a few Skylarks in the pasture. Green Woodpecker were a noisy presence throughout the walk with a couple of good sightings. Goldfinch, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat took full advantage of the numerous Thistle seed heads. (Thanks to Alastair for leading.) Alastair Fraser

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 we came to a stream which we followed and crossed a nice bowed wooden bridge over a lake with Mallards, Mute Swan and Grey Heron. While having our coffee break a Roe Deer appeared nearby but it made a hasty exit when it saw us. From there we could see Green Woodpeckers and Jays in a large tree not far away. We continued on through fields full of grasshoppers or crickets chirping and plenty of butterflies including Peacock, Comma and Small Copper. Three female Pheasants surprised us when they flew in and landed in long grass close to us. A bit further on there was a lot of activity in some tall bushes at the top of a field, mainly Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits. Unfortunately, it was difficult to make out what else, if anything, was there. In all 36 species were noted. Some members were able to watch a Red Kite over the village before the start of the walk, but unfortunately none appeared after the allotted start time to be included in the count. Many thanks to Graham for arranging a lovely walk. Olwen Jones