Field trip reports

Twenty members met for the walk. It was cloudy, 15C, with a breeze but the threatened showers didn’t really appear. A Kestrel was hovering by the church as we set off. We walked up the western hedge boundary and saw Skylarks in flight and perched on the bracken. We took a path behind the old football pitch and found a Linnet family feeding young and two Whitethroats also in the bush. We also saw a Chiffchaff with caterpillars but none of the resident Willow Warblers or Stonechats were sighted. We all had good views of a singing Yellowhammer and a Buzzard hovering possibly with prey. We enjoyed our coffee break by the Round House dog kennels that supports a House Martin colony. The sun broke through and the Skylarks sang. Some of the group saw Chaffinches bathing in a puddle and Goldfinches here also. Our walk along the back hedge didn’t yield the usual Blackcaps or Thrushes but a fleeting Bullfinch was seen as well as a Green Woodpecker. We detoured to the top of Kingdown Lane to see the Nettle-leaved Bellflower and came across a Common Scorpionfly, Soldier beetle and silver Y. Meadow Browns and Ringlet butterflies were seen and some members spotted a couple of Marbled Whites and a Small Skipper. We saw several birds we couldn’t identify skulking in foliage and a pair of Buzzards on our return journey. 21 species seen. Thanks to Graham for recording the birds. (Thanks to Melanie for leading). Melanie Patch

Fourteen birders set out without their delayed leader. Starlings and two varieties of gull, Lesser Black-backed and Herring, and a Sparrowhawk were seen and Blackcaps and Chiffchaff were singing as we carried on down the hill where Rich met us at the bottom. A Song Thrush was singing loudly as we approached the Lake to find Coots and Moorhens with small families and a Grey Heron having a wash and brush up in the shallows of the first island. Many Mallards and Feral Pigeons and 22 Mute Swans made up the main contingent on the Lake though there was a single Pink-footed Goose, probably an escapee. Three lucky members at the back of the group saw a pair of Kingfishers feeding their fledgling on the second island. Heading for our coffee stop across the river from a Kingfisher nest site, we heard both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker. On the return journey four Swifts zoomed overhead and we clocked up the only Robin of the day. Thanks to Graham for the bird list and thanks to Rich for leading. Alan Craddock

There was a good turnout of 22 members for our walk from Compton Dando. We had a good start as a Red Kite was seen in flight just as we were about to start and as we walked through the village, we added Jackdaw and Goldfinch but we did not see any of the usual species from the bridge over the River Chew. In the adjoining field we heard the first of five Chiffchaffs as well as Blackcap and Wren. Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and Blue Tit were seen. We all had good views of a juvenile Green Woodpecker that was perched on a branch of a fallen tree. After a quite steep climb a Greenfinch was heard and a Buzzard was seen in the distance as was a Herring Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. After leaving Woollard we saw a group of about eight Long-tailed Tits and walking alongside the river a Moorhen was noted. A bit later a few of us had a very fleeting view of two Bullfinches in flight and then a Kingfisher was spotted flying along the river by a small number of the group. As we came to a flower meadow, we were fortunate to see Swallows, Swifts and House Martins more or less all at the same time. At the end of the walk a Pied Wagtail was added to the list. This was an enjoyable walk and many thanks to Graham for keeping a list of species seen, or heard. We had a respectable total of 32 species for the walk. (Thanks to Mike for leading). Mike Landen

Nine of us met at 20:00 in the Speech House car park, Forest of Dean. It was good to welcome three who were new to the group. The weather was fine and mild as we set off on our roundabout route to the top of the hill. Walking up through the trees, Siskins and Goldcrests were heard, followed by more vocal Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Later a Whitethroat added its voice. Stonechat, Stock Dove, Buzzard and Jay were all seen. We were early to arrive at the top, so we went on to look across to Cinderford, being serenaded by Song Thrushes. Arriving at 21:15 at the usual Nightjar spot we only had to wait 15 minutes before we heard our first ‘churr’. We were pleased to hear a Woodcock and a distant Tawny Owl; then the churring really got going with a few “quacks” and finally a wonderful flying display; some of our photographers managed some shots in spite of the poor light, showing the white spots on the wings and the distinctive shape. More than satisfied, at 22:30 we started back to the car park, looking out above for bats and below for the toadlets crossing our path. Our meeting finished at 23:00; everyone was very happy with the experience, it had been a great walk giving us 19 species including the very special Nightjars. Thanks to Robert for leading three meetings in succession! Anne Crowe

On a hot midsummer morning 26 of us met at St Mary’s Church Saltford for a beautiful three mile walk, a Buzzard hanging high in the sky above us. As we set off along back lanes down to the marina a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker were seen and Chiffchaffs were heard. At the marina we watched a Grey Wagtail looking for food on astroturf in the play area and we were treated to a great view of a Grey Heron flying up the river in front of us. Our walk took us back along The Shallows. Many birds were sensibly keeping in the shade but one Jackdaw was seen perched on a chimney pot panting, head flung back and bill gaping open. We continued following the river seeing Swifts, a Red Kite directly overhead with the sun shining through its wings, and an impressive group of Crows perched high in the tops of trees. We stopped for a break at The Jolly Sailor (we resisted the temptation to go in!) before making our way back along the sides of fields. An enjoyable if somewhat hot morning’s walk. Thanks Robert for leading again. Gill Phillips

This was the standard walk from Marshfield, down the chest-high grass of Northfield Lane, on to Rushmead Farm, and back by Rushmead Lane. This walk was on a beautiful sunny evening. There was lots of song from Corn Buntings, Skylarks and Yellowhammers all the way through. A very distant Red Kite was caught in a telescope. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were in small numbers along with lots of Starlings, two Pied Wagtails and three finches, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch. Treats were a Sparrowhawk going through low near the barn on Rushmead Lane, two Red-legged Partridges calling, and a Little Owl on top of the shed opposite Northfield Lane. One Little Owl was photographed in a square hole in the wall. Moving on to Down Road, a Barn Owl was seen prowling against the darkening sky, a Red-legged Partridge heard, and a Quail said “wet”, which was a bit brief. 26 species, a three mile walk, a beautiful sunset, and good company. (Thanks Robert for leading.) Robert Hargreaves

22 of us met outside St Bartholomew’s church at Lower Failand. House Martins were flying around the church as we set off down the lane on a bright sunny morning. A Great Spotted Woodpecker provided our first sighting, along with a distant Greenfinch. Chiffchaff, Wren and Blackcaps were pretty much constant song companions throughout the walk. One of our group had a BTO square which edged the walk and showed us a recently occupied Marsh Tit’s nest in a moss-covered wall we passed, but the birds had flown. Coffee stop gave us some Swifts, Buzzards and Ravens and an amazing view out over the Severn and the “loveliness” of Avonmouth. Moving on, a Whitethroat was singing as we headed downhill past Failand Farm where Goldfinches and Long – tailed Tits were moving through the bushes. An elusive Goldcrest caused a mild upset by distracting the leader. Safely back on track, a Green Woodpecker flew ahead of us. Passing Failand Lodge Farm, two Linnets posed on a wire whilst Skylarks serenaded and a Mistle Thrush flew by. 34 species in total. Thanks to Nick for the bird list (and thanks to Alan for leading). Alan Craddock

It was a fine cool morning with some sun and a light breeze. Twenty birdwatchers enjoyed a circuit of the lake, where we saw a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Moorhen, and Coots with a nest. Blackcaps sang, a Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs were prominent. The Mute Swans still have six cygnets but the Canada Goose goslings appear to have been predated (by a Pike?). Dru was lucky enough to see a Peregrine high up. Following lanes to Backwell Bow, we crossed fields by the Blind Yeo river. Here were lots of low flying House Martins and Swallows. A distant Yellowhammer was seen. We were lucky to spot a Green Woodpecker flying up to a rooftop before undulating away. Other birds of note on the walk included three Mistle Thrushes on the hill near The Perrings, two Buzzards, three Goldcrests, two Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and a Linnet. A lovely walk in quiet countryside. Thanks to Nick for keeping the list for us. (Thanks to Sue and John for leading). Sue and John Prince

Overcast, with rain in the air, but the beauty of this area could not be diminished. A Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat were heard up the path but no Stonechat at the trig point. A fresh, west wind whipped about us but only a couple of Shelducks and a few large gulls showed in the bay. Swallows and Swifts appeared as we filed down the path, with a good showing of Linnets and Stonechats. A few Whitethroats sang, as did Goldfinches and Dunnocks, but the Rock Pipit remained silent as it parachuted down behind the cliff face. Another Rock Pipit showed at the coffee stop and fortunately the mizzle gave up, allowing some Skylark s to ascend and sing, and a little further along Middle Hope some Swallows were noted zipping over the grass. We bade farewell to two of our party of 13 at the stile and in sight of the Priory heard our first Lesser Whitethroat. More early finishers departed and the remaining seven ate our lunch overlooking the mud at the mouth of the River Banwell and sheltering behind the pier from a brief rain shower. Back up along the grass beside St Thomas’s Head; here the party again divided, the others to return via the direct route and some of us to cross the field system to the coast. We heard more of the same warbler species and enjoyed our buffeting in the strengthening wind. A total of 30 species were seen or heard. (Many thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

On a glorious sunny morning albeit with a chilly wind four birders joined Graham, two of whom were attending a BOC trip for the first time. A Red Kite was spotted before we set off, which boded well. We crossed the road to the Mineries and recorded both Meadow and Tree Pipit. There was also Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Willow and Reed Warbler. The route took us past the headquarters of the Bristol Exploration Club and back across the Mineries. he usual suspects were seen or heard such as Magpie, Buzzard, Wren, Chiffchaff, Coal, Blue and Great Tit, Treecreeper, Blackcap and Whitethroat, but sadly only six Swallows. We had a quick walk in the woods and added a few more species. We saw a number of butterflies when we were in sheltered spots and a small basking lizard. In total Graham recorded 30 species. Many thanks to him for a great morning. Beth Yates