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