Field trip reports

Before leaving the car park on a blustery October morning, Georgia Gmytrasiewicz, our student friend from Illinois who is a ringer in USA, was presented with a BOC club beanie as a ‘thank you’ for joining us and sharing her birding experiences with us over the past three months. Georgia, you will be missed. 27 birdwatchers then set out for a walk across the Bleadon levels to the River Axe bridge at Brean. As we left thecar park we heard a Cetti’s Warbler. At the sewage works we saw a Little Egret, further along the path two Stonechats sat on a bush and we also heard a Chiffchaff. From the screens on the bridge over the River Axe we saw Teal, Wigeon and Mallard, another Egret, Gulls, several Snipe and 30 Redshanks. On the river opposite was a Mute Swan, Grey Heron and two Moorhen, a Kestrel and a Buzzard. On the return journey we saw a Pheasant, Long-tailed Tits and Linnets. A good count of 39 species in total. Thanks to Jane for leading. John Prince

Nineteen members braved the rain for the walk at Leap Valley and over to Moorend – they must have heard it was Graham’s 100th consecutive Tuesday walk. Despite the drizzle the walk started well with a noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker (two in total for the day), 31 Long-tailed Tits (in total), a Chiffchaff, three Goldcrests and three Wrens. There were plenty of other small birds around including twelve Starlings, three Blackbirds, a very bold Robin, seven Great Tits, lots of House Sparrows in the hedges and three Pied Wagtails. Wandering through Moorend, along the water there were two Dunnocks, three Moorhen and two Mallards. Someone had helpfully put out some bird feed in their garden which led to a tussle between pigeons; there were a few Great Tits also helping themselves. There were plenty of Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Magpies, Crows and Jackdaws along the way. We enjoyed seeing Roe Deer in the fields and using the scope we also spotted a Mistle Thrush in the distance. Just when we thought the rain had chased the birds away, Joyce led us to a wild field where we saw two Greenfinches, five Chaffinches, five Goldfinches and 20 Linnets. A lucky few also spotted a Grey Heron and a Little Egret. Overall, a very enjoyable walk, seeing 30 species in total – thank you Joyce and Kate for leading. (Caroline) Charley McKerr

Andy, who had not seen my texts of doom, was the only person to join Anne and me at Herriott’s. To keep our optics dry in the rain, one person held a large umbrella over the scopes while the other searched. We noted three Shelducks, nine Black-tailed Godwits, two Snipe and some Common Gulls. There was some shelter from the rain by the side of Woodford and we were able to see two Egyptian Geese, some Pochards, and upwards of a thousand Cormorants. They were on an island that had appeared in front of Denny, the water level being so low. At Moreton we saw a Marsh Harrier. Lastly, at Stratford, where we found accidentally another BOC member, Marta, we became four. Here we found Wigeon, Pintail, nine Lapwings, 34 Great White Egrets, one Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Cetti’s Warbler, a few Pied Wagtails, twelve Meadow Pipit, and a flock of 20 Linnet. There were of course the usual species, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Shovelers, Gadwall, lots of Teal, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, and five gulls, including Common and Great Black-backed. (Many thanks to Robert for leading in atrocious weather.) Robert Hargreaves

Thirty of us started the walk in dampish and dull weather which brightened as the walk progressed. Near the start we began to see birds which included some House Sparrows chattering in a hedge. As we walked across fields several Wood Pigeons, a Magpie and a Robin made themselves known. Walking along a hedge lined narrow lane, at gaps in the hedge we saw a group of mixed corvids including Crow and Jackdaw, Starlings, and distant gulls thought to be Herring Gulls. A highlight for me was watching four Mistle Thrushes munching on holly berries then flying high up into the trees. Goldcrest was heard and then another of my favourite birds, Bullfinch, started to call. After peering into the scrub we spotted a gorgeous male. At the coffee stop a group of Redwings flew by and Goldfinches were foraging high up in an ash tree. Shortly after restarting we saw a group of Greenfinches including at least one juvenile, a Jay was heard, plus a lovely view of a Stonechat sitting on top of a bush. [On our way to the lake we met a character out walking with his pet parrot on his shoulder. Not one for the list but an unusual encounter.] Stopping at the lake we observed two Egyptian Geese, many Cormorants, six Herons, assorted ducks including Gadwall, Pochard and Teal, five Great Crested Grebe and Little and Great White Egret. At the dam area were Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls. Walking back across fields we added Buzzard and Red Kite and were treated to three Siskins flitting around the tree tops. We paused to watch a mixed tit flock which included Long-tailed Tits, observed a male Chaffinch well disguised by hawthorn berries, and a Pied Wagtail fly by. 51 species in total on this lovely walk. Thanks to Mike Landen for leading. Linda Moysey

Around 17 members met in the Natural England car park in Steart village on a beautiful autumn morning, a light breeze, no rain and a high spring tide. The walk along the King Charles lll coastal path was uneventful, just a few pairs of Stonechats, an odd Chiffchaff and later a singing Cetti’s Warbler. The Fenning marsh was viewed from the Tower Hide where a small group of early Lapwings were together with ten Greylags (not regular here). Eventually most of the group managed to squeeze into the new(ish) hide on Stert Point, affectionally known locally as The Bungalow, to get reasonable views of some waders. Unfortunately, the number and variety of waders on show was disappointing; Birds-of-the day were a newly arrived flock of at least 200 Avocets parading in front of the hide. They were beside some pristine juvenile Grey Plovers, Knot and Dunlin. Several hundred Shelducks, the remnants of the post-breeding moulting flock, were present on the beach around the Point and small flights of Wigeon and Teal were active in the Parrett Estuary. Passerines on Steart Peninsula have been few and far between, with flocks of Goldfinch, occasional Chiffchaffs, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Stonechat, Robins, Wrens, and one Cetti’s Warbler practising full song. (Many thanks to Dick, ex BOC member/Portishead Vet, for leading.) Dick Best

Nineteen of us met on a cool and cloudy morning and headed north. The first excitement was two Roe Deer running across our field to the sounds of Jackdaw, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, and Wrens. A sole Moorhen was heard from the hidden pool. Next, with some tits, were two Nuthatches, a Dunnock and 30 Mallards amongst some sheep. And then, six Redwings scudding across the skies, my first of the autumn, and an albino Pheasant amongst a flock of 26. At the coffee stop, three circling Red Kites and another Nuthatch, many Herring Gulls flying over. Passing The Stables a Peacock. Along the road a couple of Chiffchaff and three Skylarks. After the road walk came to an end we walked around the newly-ploughed field and saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The first break-off group had a Raven in the orchard, another Great Spotted Woodpecker, Ivy bees on the ivy and a Coal Tit. The continuing group carried on and spotted Linnet, Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit. Onwards towards St Michael’s Church for the picnic stop and lovely views right across to South Wales. Here we spotted Mistle Thrush, Rooks and more Ravens. This really was a lovely walk and a great day was had by all; a total of 34 species were seen. Thanks to Peter for leading. Robert Hargreaves

Six intrepid members met in the car park in the midst of Storm ‘Amy’. We waited until a short sharp hail shower passed over to walk onto the reservoir banks. The wind was so strong we could only identify the closest birds, which were flocks of Mallard and Coot and a few Pied Wagtails. Cheddar Reservoir is currently at 27% water storage, with large areas exposed and many of the birds towards the middle of the reservoir. Our numbers dwindled to four as we decided to head for the droves and paths along the rhynes of Cheddar moor in the hope of some shelter. Most birds seemed to have taken cover and we only managed Corvids, Woodpigeon and Starlings. We heard a Cetti’s Warbler as we made our way to the far end of Axbridge, and eight Roe Deer along the route were also braving the winds. We spotted a Kingfisher on the banks of a rhyne in Axbridge, a couple of Little Egret and heard a group of Long-tailed Tits as we headed back onto the reservoir banks. The wind had dropped a little by this time, but we still struggled to focus. A Kestrel flew across and we recorded five Great Crested Grebes and flocks of Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Teal and Black-headed Gull, with Meadow Pipit on the embankment. A group of birdwatchers reported two Leach’s Storm Petrels but we didn’t manage to see them. We achieved 22 species in total. Thanks to Nick for leading the walk and persevering in such bad weather. It certainly blew the cobwebs away! Maree Richards

Eighteen members including seven new ones, turned up for a chilly walk at New Passage and along the Wetlands. With quite a few binoculars we soon spotted 200 Dunlin, 100 Oystercatchers, Canada Geese, and 40 Redshanks, and a flock of 60 Lapwing. With the scopes two Peregrines were spotted on the ground, along with a Turnstone in Summer plumage, and a Grey Plover. We made our way along to the ponds and had a glimpse of a Kingfisher, a great view of a Kestrel, then 28 Ringed Plovers, 40 Linnets and four Meadow Pipits, and Little Grebe. A long-legged wader was spotted on the second pond and we had a debate between sandpiper, Greenshank, or Ruff. Eventually we settled on Ruff. Making our way back we were delighted to see the Kingfisher with a fish. In addition to 24 Curlew and three Whimbrel, two Curlew Sandpipers were seen. A Sparrowhawk was spotted. On the saltmarsh was a flock of 30 Canada geese, with one Greylag Goose in the middle. 20 House Martins and four Swallows contributed to the speci es total of 53. I think a good day was had by all, and we hope to see the new members again very soon (thanks to Caron for leading). Caron Thornton-Trippit

Sixteen of us met at the church in Tickenham and we couldn’t have wished for a better day for autumn birdwatching. Crisp and cool with a beautiful blue sky. Even waiting by the cars we got off to a good start with a Buzzard, a Grey Heron and a Song Thrush. We set off on the climb to Cadbury Camp accompanied by the songs of Robins and various Tits. The Camp is the perfect place to stop for a cuppa and admire the amazing views out over the countryside to the Severn Estuary, Flat Holm and Wales in the far distance. Up there we saw Swallows and a Raven. Descending from the Camp we entered a wooded patch where we saw a Wren, a Coal Tit, three Goldcrests and my favourite for the day – a Spotted Flycatcher, with a good view of it perched and then fluttering out to find food. Heading back to Tickenham we saw the typical Corvids and Pigeons plus a flock of 33 Starlings (most of our birds were ones or twos), two Mallards and last but not least, a Chiffchaff. Total species seen or heard was Thanks to Alan for keeping the bird count and to Lois and Jan for leading the walk for us. Graham Bennett

We had a break from the recent rain and very strong winds, with lots of warm, sunny spells although in the open fields a noticeable breeze. The attendance today was 21 members and the circular walk was largely flat with gently sloping sections; the route included woodland and hedges, but the majority at field margins, the fields occasionally with uncut maize but mostly bare. We observed or heard a wide range of birdlife and some other wildlife too. From the very start of the walk a Raven was spotted, soon after there was a glimpse of a Stoat, Robin, Jackdaw, Red Kite but at long distance, and (several times through the walk) a flock of Linnets. Two Roe Deer ran across a bare field, followed by lots of Carrion Crows in the far distance and our first spot of two Red Kites nearby apparently effortlessly watching ground beneath and perhaps on occasion landing at something of interest. While still in open fields we observed and heard Skylark and Swallows and then alongside hedgerows, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest. Walking past a wooded area, Nuthatch, more Chiffchaff, Robin, Long-tailed Tit. The last section of the walk, alongside hedgerows on slightly higher ground, we saw more Red Kites, a Buzzard, Dunnock and House Sparrow, Stonechat and perhaps the best had been saved to last: a Yellowhammer bathing in a rare puddle – fantastic. Thanks to Graham and Caron for leading the walk and to Alistair for recording the day’s ‘bird list’! Gary Prosser