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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
