Field trip reports

Sixteen birders set off on the long slope down into the tranquil valley immediately spotting a Treecreeper showing off. Soon our curiosity was sparked when we noticed a pair of large metal sheets just off the path which we carefully lifted up, hoping to spot some wildlife resting in the cool and dark. There was nothing there, but a speedy scurrying was heard which from its size and shape may have been a Bank Vole. A large, tall patch of thistles was full of Goldfinches and a Kingfisher flashed by as we arrived at the lake for our coffee stop at the picturesque 19th century boathouse, complete with an old rowing boat on the grass outside. Di had specially arranged for the boat house to be opened for us and inside we saw the droppings on the floor as evidence of the bats that roost in the roof space. Through its open windows was a beautifully framed view of the lake in the middle of which was a long arching log with two Grey Wagtails dipping up and down as is their charming habit – a picture-perfect scene. We continued around the lake and enjoyed another perfect scene of a clear mirror reflection in the middle of the lake of a Sandpiper on another log. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were flying in the open skies. Whilst in the grasses at ground level there were Gatekeeper butterflies fluttering about. 27 species in all, thanks to Di for leading and all who attended. Sa-Re Desai

We numbered 14 in the group on a cooler day than recently with a stiff breeze along the Severn Way. From the path above the lake, we saw Gadwall, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan and Little Grebe. The occasional call from a Chiffchaff was heard as we walked the path towards the river, with Reed Warblers calling briefly from the lagoon. The path itself was overflowing with grasses and wild flowers that were full of butterflies which we were able to identify; ten species in total were seen. The tide was quite a way out on the River Severn, but Little Egret, Heron, Curlew and Oystercatcher were seen among the various Gulls. Two Shelducks made their way upstream with a delightful brood of seven ducklings franti cally paddling behind, trying to keep up. The jetty area had Stonechat, Linnet, Robin and the regular Pied Wagtails. Five Ravens flew towards us, being hassled by a Kestrel. On the Power Station ledge was a Peregrine, and another was seen flying higher. On the final path back were Green Woodpeckers and a Robin. The orchard was disappointingly empty of any birds or butterflies this time. Total species seen 31. (Thanks to Di for leading and all who attended.) Di Bunniss

Thirteen enthusiastic birders began from the small harbour at Pill where there was an incoming tide. This would prove to be quite a hot day starting out around 20C and ending on our return at 25/26C. Despite this our bird count for the day of 30 species was respectable. We assembled on the green with our first view being many Swifts swooping and screaming overhead and around the harbour area. As we set off this was followed by House Martins feeding young under the eaves of a house opposite, with Mallard on the water and many Black-headed Gulls calling from the boats clearly marked as their territory. We made our way along the pathway and onto the foreshore heading for a stopping point under the M5 for a much needed rehydration break. Distant Raven were seen from here along with Buzzard. We made our way to a footpath bounded on both sides by hedges, reedbed and distant foreshore. This area contained most of the birds seen with two Oystercatcher on a distant jetty, and Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and Blackcap heard. The path ended at a fence where some had good views of Redshank and Common Sandpiper. With the tide at its highest we retraced our steps getting close views of a hunting Kestrel and two Clouded Yellow butterflies. Thanks to Graham for leading an interesting walk. For anyone who needed to know more about the street artwork under the M5 bridge this was a combined effort from two well-known street artists who displayed this work at Upfest in Bristol earlier this year .Jenny White

Eleven of us arrived at the Speech House car park for this evening meeting to see a few birds flitting in the trees and Woodpigeon calling. On making our way into the forest, the excitement started when we had prolonged views of a Firecrest with two juveniles found by James. Further along there were Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Chaffinch and many Stonechats flying between the path and the trees together with Siskins and Linnets flying over us. Once on the heathland we saw many Linnets, Siskins and a flock of 34 House Martins. During our coffee break, we observed seven ponies walking through the gorse and heard Buzzard and Pheasants calling. We reached Crabtree Hill at about 21:30 and saw a Buzzard land in a tree, and very soon heard two Nightjars churring. Then a male gave us a fabulous show of flying around, landing, then back up and landing again before a female flew up. After a few more churring calls we made our way back down the hill only to see three Highland Cattle with a Wild Boar in the middle before one of the cattle chased it off. Walking back to the cars, James heard the wings of a Woodcock before we were spoilt again by another display in torch light of a Nightjar flying round and round and finally landing out of sight. A fantastic walk was had by all. (Thanks to Caron for leading and also to James for his expertise, his young eyes and ears.) Caron Thornton Trippit

This year the Avon Gorge Peregrines nested on a ledge opposite our usual watch point. There was anew female (with some reports of last year’s female having been seen around Sea Walls early in theseason), the male was possibly the same as last year. They successfully fledged four juveniles (one maleand three females) around 10 June, early for the site. One female was grounded in a storm on 12 Juneand rescued in Leigh Woods. It was released the next day having been checked by a vet and ringed. The birds had not been ringed in the nest as the ledge was a narrow and confined space. We had 207 enthusiastic visitors to the stand on the first weekend with plenty of Peregrine activity. In July we finished at 12:00 each day because of the heatwave and so had fewer visitors, 106. The juveniles spent the July Sunday away from the watch point. The ringed juvenile and another juvenile and two adults were photographed on the BRI chimney on 22 July. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the event possible, and to BOC members who came along to support us. (Gareth Roberts)

On this sunny day, 15 of us met at Tyntesfield for this walk. Setting off from the car park, we were immediately met by a calling Buzzard, Crows and the occasional Woodpigeon flying past. Given the warm weather, early sightings trickled in slowly whilst crossing dry grass fields with the singing of a Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Wren heard, with unsuspecting Alpaca and Emu in their pens. Things picked up as we followed the Land Yeo, watching Banded Demoiselle and Blue Damselflies zipping by. There we were met by the distinctive song of Yellowhammer from the trees and overhead wires. Swift and Swallow were swooping over a distant barn. As we neared Watercress Farm, Sparrow, Greenfinch and Dunnock sprung up from the vegetation around us before a Little Egret flew up from the ponds nearby, highlighting a Grey Heron, Canada Geese and Mallards that were also beyond the reeds. Our short break to hydrate and refuel at Watercress was accompanied by many butterflies: Meadow Brown and Painted Ladies flitting over the abundant thistle, but the previously reported Quail was, unfortunately, not seen by our group. On our return, Little Grebe and Mute Swan were spotted on the pools, with a lively group of Sand Martin sweeping over the fields to our left. Upon making it back to Tyntesfield, we were greeted yet again by a calling Buzzard overhead. In total 29 species were spotted. Many thanks to Jean for leading this scenic walk and to Graham for the day’s list!Annabelle Lam

Fifteen members met at Berkeley Castle on a warm sunny day for a mainly flat circular route starting and ending along a minor road and then on walking routes and bridleways, some next to channels and the Severn. The terrain was mainly open country with the occasional shading from trees. Our leader gave us some interesting snippets of history starting with the Jesters Tomb in the Churchyard where we got a glimpse of a Goldcrest flitting in a large Atlantic Blue Cedar and then as we passed the castle a Buzzard circled above. After hearing a Reed Warbler in a deep ridge we got a clear view of two Reed Warblers in the reeds as we passed over a channel. After joining the Berkeley/Pill path we heard the wheezing of Greenfinch and warbling Blackcaps. A Kestrel was spotted flying with some prey and it proceeded to land on a far gate and started to feed. There were plenty of butterflies including Marbled White, Small Skipper and Clouded Yellow. Where the channel met the Severn we spotted a Little Egret, Heron, Common Sandpiper and Oystercatchers. Alongside the Severn there was a Shelduck with four small chicks bobbing about in the choppy water. We returned back on a path between two hedgerows and as we reached Berkeley a Red Kite flew overhead bringing the total species seen to 44. Many thanks to Peter for leading the walk Stephen Clarke

Seventeen of us set off from Portbury village in cool blustery conditions which improved as the morning progressed. Immediately there were House Martins over the allotments and from the railway bridge two Buzzards circling in the distance over the Gordano Valley. When we turned off the road a Goldcrest was heard and, in a different tree, two juvenile “crests” were seen, most likely Gold. At the start of the footpath a Sparrowhawk went over and for quite a distance the hedgerows were very quiet. Eventually we started to hear Chiffchaff and then, closer to the nature reserve, Whitethroats, Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. Along the salt marsh were a number of Skylarks and Reed Buntings. Viewing the pools from the two hides we counted the Lesser Black-backed Gulls (74) but the duck numbers were low, just a few pairs of Tufted Duck, Mallard and Gadwall, the latter being put up by an errant dog which had escaped from its owner. The two adult Lapwings also went up, being decidedly irate with the dog and its owner. There were Swallows and Martins on the walk back up Wharf Lane. Along Sheepway the stragglers in the group witnessed a Kestrel make a successful kill, just 20 feet from a gateway. A good walk with 48 species identified. Thanks to Jane for leading and all who attended. Keith Williams

Thank goodness it was much cooler than the last few weeks for this very enjoyable walk around Ridge Woods. Sixteen of us set off on a well-maintained path through the woods whilst firstly encountering a number of Swifts swooping above, followed by Dunnock, Greenfinch, Stock Dove and Robin. A little further on we heard a very loud call of a Peregrine. Shortly after this our 17th walker appeared whilst we encountered Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch and Goldcrest. Our 18th walker joined us after 30 minutes, taunting us with the fact he had seen a Bullfinch, not six feet away. Proceeding onward, on a not so well-maintained path, we later discovered Barnhill Quarry, where we observed another Peregrine, Buzzard, Little Grebe, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey Heron, a noisy Green Woodpecker, plus a Kestrel. More Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Blackbird, and Song Thrush among other regulars were seen or heard. As a bonus Large Skipper, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet butterflies appeared, mostly near the quarry. One member suffered an unfortunate fall towards the end. We found 31 bird species in total. Many thanks to Alan for leading a great walk. Graham Blacker

Just don’t mention the heat! I’m sure the nine members who turned up for this one enjoyed a somewhat challenging walk, although they didn’t quite know what was in store for them before we commenced. It all started with cake which we attempted to eat before the walk began; you can imagine how we coped with chocolate cake at 32º C (sorry I mentioned the heat again). After cleaning our hands of well melted chocolate, our route took us past Smithams chimney before crossing a few fields and onto our descent of the coombe, where many fallen trees needed to be climbed over or limboed under, plus a brook to traverse. I was surprised we had only four fallers, including myself. By this time, among the 30 species we had recorded, we encountered Garden and Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Siskin, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit, five Red Kites, Buzzard and a soaring Sparrowhawk whilst admiring fantastic views of Chew Valley Lake. After our somewhat successful navigation through the coombe with lunch approaching, we decided to cut the walk short. Luckily we did, as our route back saw 30 Swifts flying, calling and swooping between us, as well as Swallow and Chaffinch before all participants safely returned to their cars. Did I mention how hot it was? Thanks to Caron for helping me lead and for keeping the bird count. (Thanks to Graham for leading) Graham Blacker