Field trip reports

Sixteen members gathered at the AWT 250-acre nature reserve, Folly Farm. This was the day that the 30,000th walker would take part in the Tuesday walks. Alastair Fraser was the lucky winner of a lovely pair of ornamental Swans and a pair of blue birds presented by Graham before the walk. We set off on a dry sunny day wondering if we really needed our jackets. The first part of the walk was a long climb through woodland listening to the sounds of Song Thrush, Blackbirds and Robins. The bluebells were a lovely sight. As we reached the end of the wooded area a Song Thrush was spotted. The walk carried on over fields, with good views of a Mistle Thrush foraging on the ground. The views of Chew Valley Lake from the hilltop were stunning. Walking along the ridge an elusive Garden Warbler was heard in the Shrubbery, three Goldfinch posed on the top of a dead tree and a Buzzard flew overhead. Swifts and Swallows were spotted and a number of Blackcaps were singing away. We had an encounter with a herd of cows on our way down the hill and spotted a singing Skylark. After the initial glimpses of the sun a chilly wind and clouds had appeared reminding us ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May is out’ A total of 26 species and some beautiful views. Thanks to Alastair for keeping the bird count and Jean for leading a lovely walk. Maree Richards.

Ten of us including three younger members, turned up today for a fantastic sunny walk in the New Forest. As soon as we all paid the new parking charges, we made our way down a gravel path where Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were singing and we could hear a Cuckoo in the background. We came into a large area of Gorse in full bloom here and we immediately started to see birds flitting around, Robins, Blackcaps and Stonechats were observed. We heard a Chaffinch singing away and Jane pointed out it was odd because they do not like the spiny shrub. After a lot of searching we finally saw it perched in a single tree. We walked on further to a large clearing and many Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and Meadow Pipits were observed. A Cuckoo was heard many times and finally after some bubbling trills (female) we saw one flying between trees. A raptor was spotted giving us all a debate on a Hobby or Sparrowhawk, but Hobby won. We made our way up the hill over a log across a stream and through the Gorse to have our picnic. Robin went looking for butterflies and spotted an Adder. After lunch we made our way back along the gravel path and were overjoyed when we saw a Dartford Warbler. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any Redstarts but Firecrest, Goldcrest and Treecreeper made up for it. Just before we got to the car our final bird was a Wheatear. A great list of 40 species and a lovely day. Thank you Jane for leading this fabulous walk and thank you all for coming so far. Caron Thornton -Trippit

Nineteen of us met on a dry, partially cloudy morning at the free Wireworks car park in Tintern. We started the walk with a climb up through the wood, which was spectacular with Bluebells, Ramsons, unfurling Ferns and a bird audio challenge. Blackcap, Song Thrush, and Goldcrest were heard and upon reaching the top a Buzzard agitated the local Jackdaws and Carrion Crows. We soon reached our coffee spot overlooking a scenic lake and our first waterfall. Afterwards we were rewarded with a Dipper under a bridge that had a beak full of food. Continuing the now steady climb upwards we reached an open space with blue sky that held circling Raven, Red Kite, and Buzzard. After a picnic lunch in a well-maintained garden alongside the tranquil Angidy River, we detoured to another lake. On the river along here two Dippers were seen and for those that didn’t blink or look away at the wrong time we saw them pair-bonding with wing shakes. Later a Marsh Tit and Grey Wagtail were seen in the same location. The return trail was all downhill with views of a Sparrowhawk and for a lucky few a Treecreeper played peek-a-boo around a tree. Thanks to Graham for leading and to Alastair for recording 30 species of bird. Louise Bailey.

There was a pleasing group of 22 people attending this field trip and it was nice to see a few newer and younger members. From the car park we heard and saw a Cuckoo flying by and there was a lot of warbler activity and song from the nearby trees. Walking onto the reserve there was a Reed Warbler showing and posing well just beyond the picnic tables and in the trees leading up to the embankment there were numerous Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing. On the embankment there was a Garden Warbler singing and showing well in the trees to the north. We stopped at the first Viewing Platform and could hear several Bittern booming, and we had a couple of in-flight views of this elusive bird. There were Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit on the small islands and shallower areas. Also, we saw a good number of commoner duck species including Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and a few Pochard. There were also some Great Crested Grebe pairs displaying at different points. We walked on to the Avalon Hide and observed several Marsh Harriers including a stunning male that flew close by and a male Reed Bunting was singing from some Willows. We were also delighted to see a Hobby hunting over the reed beds as we returned via the second Viewing Platform. We finished by going to the Tor Hide where there are several Heron nests and one with some small chicks. On the way we saw a Common Sandpiper using the Tern and Gull rafts with some Black-headed Gulls in summer plumage and both Little and Great White Egrets. Overall, we recorded 55 species. (Thanks to Robin for leading) Robin Martin

Twenty members made a staggered start on a mild morning, the prompt glimpsing a weasel, the tardy two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flying over, all to the continuous songs of Wrens, Robins and Blackcaps. The route was alongside a biggish pond. Here were two Mute Swans, two Canada Geese and a Moorhen, while to the right were singing Reed Warblers and a Reed Bunting, also Cetti’s Warblers and Dunnocks. Tree buds had burst but the leaves were still small and each species a different shade, so the visual effect was fantastic. Also seen were Longtailed, Blue and Great Tits, Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs, one of which gave an agile display of catching midges swarming above the flowers. Heron, Little Egret, Curlew and a few Shelduck were on show along the Severn Way and a fine view of a Peregrine flying onto a pylon to overlook the coffee break. Two Linnets and a Pied Wagtail were seen but birds were not so evident and we turned back to the embankment overlooking an extensive area of brambles and small trees. It looked perfect for Whitethroat at least but none were seen, though a Stonechat perched on the fence. Turning for home, the path through an overgrown meadow beside a small pond ended in a final orchard where there were a number of Blue Tits and Chiffchaffs. There were singletons of Treecreeper, Little Grebe and Kestrel along the way which, together with the expected regulars, lifted the species tally to 45. A lovely morning. Many thanks to Di for leading and Alistair for compiling the list. Simon Reece

A blustery but mostly sunny day with occasional showers failed to deter a total of 16 members for a walk around Sand Point to St. Thomas’s Head. Walk started with a large movement of Swallows heading west over Sand Point, having presumably come from an overnight roost at Blagdon/Chew. Soon after, we heard a Whitethroat just south of the car park that showed beautifully for about five minutes. A male Ring Ouzel was seen distantly half way along Sand Point but quickly flew into cover as a passing shower forced us to also find shelter! Upon arrival to Middle Hope, a female Wheatear was seen in flight and at least two territorial Rock Pipits were seen on the north side. The group were overjoyed to find a second male Ring Ouzel feeding and showing well on a cliff in the cove with a possible female also associating with it. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling in bramble just above the cove but could not be located in a twenty minute search. News of a Redstart prompted a quick detour over to St. Thomas’s Head, which unfortunately was unsuccessful but we did manage to find several obliging Stonechats that posed for photos. All in all, a decent walk with everyone very happy with what they had seen. Many thanks to all who attended. (Thanks to Matt for leading). Matt Hull

Twenty-four members joined for a casual walk in Portishead. We had a special species in mind for our trip: the Purple Sandpiper. Being from a different hemisphere all the birds were quite exciting and opened up a whole new world of sight and song from the Mute Swans to the Chiffchaffs. We spotted but mostly heard 35 species, including the not just one but four Purple Sandpipers, which are winter visitors and should be leaving soon so it was a great sighting. At the beginning of our walk we were greeted with a Willow Warbler, deceptively similar to the abundant Chiffchaffs, but unique in its song. While on our walk around Battery Point we not only saw the Purple Sandpipers but also Oystercatchers, and Rock Pipits. The walk through the woods was beautiful and really tested our bird song recollection. Later in the walk we heard some Goldcrests, extraordinarily small birds with a big voice. Spotting them was much harder than hearing them. Notable other species were Blackcap and Pied Wagtail. Thank you to Graham and Diana, who expertly guided us through the woods and back just in time for lunch! (Reported by a visitor from Cape Town here for three weeks only). Koi Pillay

When the 15 walkers set out, the weather was somewhat gloomy but by the end, we were in glorious sunshine. Thirty-seven species were noted and contrary to expectations, the heronry was extremely active with 19 nests seen, 15 of which were occupied, many by both adults and chicks. We spent some time watching a Treecreeper, a Nuthatch and Jackdaw, diving in and out of holes in the dead poplars. We also noted three Cormorants sitting in a dead tree while very noisy Buzzards circled above us. We also heard a Raven calling and a Mute Swan flew up river. Spring was evident with bluebells and cowslips in places and many Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies were seen. Karen Birmingham

This field trip was combined with a young birders meeting (in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust). Forty-four people attended. A Red Kite flew overhead as we gathered in the car park. We walked through Poplar Wood to the sound of multiple bird songs, pausing briefly by the nest hole of a Kingfisher (no longer in use). We emerged into the wetland field to find Yellowhammer, Little Egret, Heron and a Sparrowhawk. A Willow Warbler, on passage, sang briefly and was photographed by those who hung back as we moved on. The first House Martin of the year flew over the woodland. Along the rail sidings we heard two Bullfinches and saw Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Greenfinch. The Tamworth piglets provided some entertainment as they had busted out of their compound and were trespassing where they were not supposed to be. A bit of amateur pig wrangling and a call to the estate sorted them out. 34 bird species plus Roe Deer and a Common Lizard. Thanks to Robin and Gareth for co-leading. Alastair Fraser

A good turnout of 41 walkers on this very foggy and chilly day headed out along the Severn Way for 500m before returning. Walking to the Severn Way and passing some houses, we observed the typical birds in the hedgerows including Goldfinches. Scopes and tripods ready we arrived at the information sign for the start of our morning field trip. We had a great high tide at 10:46 (12.34 m). Initially, the estuary had poor visibility with the “new” M4 bridge barely visible, but this improved over time with the M48 bridge eventually making an appearance. The saltmarsh “is an international service station for migrating and wintering shorebirds. The mudflats and saltmarsh of the Severn estuary provide valuable food and a site to rest, more than 240 species have been recorded here”. Walking along the top of the sea defences we could look over the estuary and mudflats to the north and wetland pools and reed beds to the south. Redshanks on the edge of the rising tide Shelduck, Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall easily spotted in groups in the mist of the mudflats. We were then pleasantly surprised to see a flock of Sand Martins flying over us. The final count recorded to BirdTrack, concluded we had seen 51 species. With the bird of the day possibly seeing the Little Gull which fluttered around for a while showing very well. Finally, many thanks to Jane for leading the trip. Vernon Holmes