Field trip reports

Today’s walk was postponed from yesterday due to the wet weather. Seventeen of us met with cautious optimism of seeing target species of Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Redstart and Yellow Wagtail, following a number of reported sightings during the week (and earlier in the morning!). As we set off towards the Common, we saw a Sparrowhawk as well as a few Swallows and House Martins. We went past the Golf Club and took a circular walk around the Common. Eventually we were rewarded with sightings of Whinchat, a Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and a Stock Dove, amongst others. The weather was breezy but remained dry; even so, all the birds kept their distance today, which was a little frustrating. We were grateful to those who brought scopes with them! On the more open part of the Common we spotted a number of Skylarks and had a good view of a Wheatear. Less expected overhead were two Cormorants and a Mute Swan, which added to the number of species seen – eventually totalling a very acceptable 34. Thank you to Mike for leading. Denise Rudeford

Even though the Kings Wood car park was packed with dog walkers we still managed to find room here and in various lay-bys for the 14 walkers that turned up for this walk. As we left the car park we went in the glorious summer woodland and first saw Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. We soon entered Wavering Down after a bit of a climb and birdsong filled our ears. Stopping to gaze into the trees we saw a few Stonechats along with Spotted Flycatcher, whilst many Swallows mixed with House Martins flew overhead. Moving along we could clearly see Crook Peak and far beyond into South Wales, also some lovely views across the Somerset Levels and Cheddar reservoir. After a short coffee break, through the fields we saw Pheasant, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, a couple of low flying Green Woodpecker, Robin, Bullfinch and Blackbird. Back into the woodland we paused as a beautifully marked Buzzard soared immediately overhead. To end a most enjoyable morning we also noted Wood Pigeon, Herring Gull, Magpie and Crow. The total species recorded was 21 and thanks go to Clive for such a lovely well led walk. Graham Blacker

Our group birded from the Lodge to Top End hide and back from late morning to mid-afternoon. The passerines were certainly keeping their heads down, and there were very few birds on the water, although significant numbers of Mallards with some Gadwalls were loafing along the North Shore as they do during their moult. I kept a list of the sightings we made, the most surprising of which was 16 Egyptian Geese. There were very few waterfowl at Top End, but five or more Greenshanks were spotted feeding at various points along the shoreline, but the problem was it was very difficult to scope them due to the heat haze. Raptors included Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, and Buzzard. I made it 41 bird species in total, without even recording e.g. Song Thrush or Wren, so we didn’t do too badly. We counted Clouded Yellow butterflies for a while, I got up to 14 before giving up, as they seemed to be on nearly all the meadows and patches of Water Mint. However, of particular interest was a Clouded Yellow f. helice at Bell’s Bush, only the second I’ve seen at the lake – the first being on 6th August 2006. We recorded eight species of butterflies and three dragonfly species, and we looked at several plant galls along the way as well. Thanks to the participants, it was an enjoyable walk in good company. (Thanks to Nigel for leading) Nige Milbourne

Not too hot, no rain, a slight breeze, perfect day for a walk, shame that only five people seemed to think so! It started very well with a Red Kite immediately above and flying so low we could see its perfect markings; a little further on and the cry of a Chaffinch, many Crows, Magpie and Pied Wagtail. Proceeding on through Velvet Bottom we detected many birds in yonder trees, which we decided were Chiffchaffs plus a couple of Goldfinches. At this point we first heard then spotted our first of today’s two Ravens, a beautiful Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, with a few Linnets passing by along with Stonechat. Also, what was thought to be a young fledgling Buzzard flying overhead having probably just achieved its independence. Carrying on further toward the Bottom we stopped for our coffee break, hearing Wren and Robin whilst we paused. As we continued we discovered that Long Wood was still closed to walkers due to Ash Dieback; nevertheless we traipsed on uphill where a Bullfinch was heard. Crossing a field towards the long road which would eventually take us back to the car park, we spied House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, plus a solitary House Martin, and many Swallows were also seen throughout the walk. Just as we returned we had a lovely view of our first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the day. (Thanks to Graham for leading.) Graham Blacker

Ten of us met at a lay-by on the A432 on a baking hot morning. After my really quite good sausage sandwich from the local food van, we set off down a footpath which led us by way of a couple of fields to the suburbia of Frampton Cotterell. It wasn’t birding weather and very little was showing; a couple of Robins, a Wren and a Dunnock were spotted along the way and a Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling. We stopped at the “Village Pond” where there were ten Mallard and a couple of Moorhens, one a juvenile. There was also an Emperor Dragonfly, a Common Darter and Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles flying around. A further footpath took us out of the housing estate where we saw a Buzzard on the way down to Nightingale’s Bridge where we stopped for coffee in the shade. Then we battled down the Frome Valley Walkway which was quite overgrown with nettles everywhere. Brief sightings included a Song Thrush, a Grey Heron, a House Martin, five Swallows and a further Buzzard. We returned to the main road by way of a track past Huckford Farm. Twenty species in total. Thanks to Peter for leading and the occasional history lesson. Alan Craddock

Our group of thirteen, including three newcomers, met in the village of Somerford Keynes, where a good number of doves and Swallows could be seen; a Green Woodpecker was heard but not seen. We set out toward Pit 37, having spotted Little Grebe on the village lake and Migrant Hawker dragonflies flying above. The ground was uneven in places but dry throughout, with one stile and some brambles (whence a great many blackberries were foraged). Weather was dry with little cloud cover so we were glad of the shade along the edges of the lakes. On the larger lakes we observed many Coot, Mallard, Tufted Ducks, Canada Geese, Swans and Great Crested Grebe with a number of their delightfully striped face juveniles. The group split up for lunch on the heath, where we saw Cormorant, Gulls, Common Terns and a Red Kite, before looping back along the Thames path (the river itself was largely dry). We were pre-warned that Red-crested Pochard had recently been in the area, and indeed we saw a pair on the Farmhouse Lake. Throughout the day we heard Chiffchaff contact calls and saw a great number of other warblers including Blackcap, Reed Warbler, and Sedge Warbler, though many individual birds eluded ID. Overall we saw at least 39 species of bird and twelve species of (mostly colourful) flighted insect; one Buddleia bush had four Painted Ladies and three Hummingbird Hawkmoths. Many thanks to Peter for leading the walk and compiling the list. Freddie Nash

It was 21C and stayed dry. Fourteen of us met by St Katherine’s church on Felton Common. Swallows and a House Martin were feeding around us as we made our way across the common and we glimpsed several Skylarks fluttering around the bracken. Some of us also briefly saw a Stonechat with the House Sparrows at the top of The Street on the brambles. As we climbed up the hill a Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat were identified in a Hawthorn bush. A lot of birds were quite elusive. Chiffchaff was seen and the call of Willow Warbler heard. A small flock of Linnets were also seen. We searched unsuccessfully for a Yellowhammer and juvenile that had been seen the previous week. We had our coffee on the stones by the Roundhouse where, unfortunately, the scaffolding that was up in the winter and spring caused the House Martin colony to be absent. We observed Common Whitethroat here in the trees and scrub and more Stonechats and House Sparrows. Our walk along the back hedge yielded Blackcap, Blackbird and Wren. A soaring Buzzard was also seen. Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood butterflies were on the wing and a deceased mole was observed. Twenty-four bird species in total. Thanks to Alastair for keeping the bird list and Robin for helping to identify birds with his camera shots. (Thanks to Melanie for leading) Mel Patch

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