Field trip reports

Twenty Five of us met at Herons Green for a walk between Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes, after the planned walk at Folly Farm was cancelled due to flooding. Spring had arrived with several wild flowers in bloom, birds carrying nesting material, including Jackdaws that were making their home at the top of the Obelisk on Breach Hill, and birdsong – particularly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. A Red Kite was seen at the beginning of the walk; assorted tits, finches and a Treecreeper, amongst other birds along the route and, on the return leg, some of the taller birders could see the top of a Cattle Egret in a field whilst others spotted a Swallow and Sand Martin flying past. Including birds seen on the lakes we saw 55 species – and the weather stayed dry. Many thanks, Jean, for leading. Jacky Tonkin

Eighteen members assembled in Millenium Square for a thankfully dry stroll around the docks. Our first halt was outside the Arnolfini where Rich Scantlebury gave us pointers on gull plumage and identified a young Great Black -backed Gull in amongst the immature Herring Gulls. Two Canada Geese, a Cormorant and a Moorhen were locally in attendance. Moving along past M Shed, House Sparrows, two Magpies, a Blue Tit and the first of many Wrens were added to the list. A couple of Collared Doves later we arrived at the coffee stop where a Robin provided the background music. Arriving at the bridge over the New Cut, we spotted a raptor, initially thought to be a Peregrine, which morphed into a Kestrel as it flew towards Ashton Court. The riverbank provided three surprise Oystercatchers which we were not expecting but no Redshanks which we were. As we prepared to leave the dockside for Brandon Hill, a Grey Wagtail flew past and gave us a brief display on a rooftop. Climbing into the woods on the hill, we found Bird Central where Wrens, Robins, Goldfinches and Greenfinches were enthusiastically singing in what was almost sunshine! Thanks to Graham for the bird count and Alan for leading. 27 species in total. Alan Craddock

Thirty people gathered in the farmyard in fine, sunny weather. Philippa gave a short talk on the set-up and ethos of the farm. We set-off across the fields, spotting a distant Red Kite and then a closer Kestrel. The trees and hedges of the field boundaries were filled with Chaffinches and bright Yellowhammers in pleasing numbers; Skylarks sang along as we reached the track where Philippa had put seed down for the finches. A flock of 20 Siskins was spotted. We crossed into a field where we could see owl boxes, regularly used by Barn Owls. We had a brief glimpse of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker called loudly. An early coffee stop gave great views across the valley and the company of a loudly singing Chiffchaff. Three Buzzards circled above. We carried on down, looking for the Mistle Thrush whose song rang out in the valley; finally it showed itself in the top of a tall tree ahead. We made a small diversion to inspect the STW and brook; giving us a Goldcrest with other common small birds. Finally we climbed the long, slow hill back to the farm – everyone made it! We arrived to the hoots of Collared Doves and the wheeze and trill of Greenfinches. We had seen several Brimstone utterflies, hare and deer. It had been a lovely spring walk to the sound of singing Robins, Dunnocks, Wrens, Tits and Chiffchaff, with 32 species altogether. Thanks to Graham for the bird count and to Philippa for leading us. Anne Crowe

Seven turned up on a very wet day. We set off towards Luckington Court and saw our first of many (40+) Woodpigeons and (100+) Jackdaws. It was hard to spot the birds in all the rain but we heard Robin, Goldcrest, Wren, Mallard, Treecreeper and Great Tit. We did spot a lone male Chaffinch in the trees and a number of Dunnock, four Long-tailed Tits and lots of Blue Tit in the hedges along the route. The first of three Grey Wagtails was seen close to the overflowing stream as we approached Sherston and 100+ Rook were flying around the nearby trees. We abandoned the water-logged paths and kept to the minor roads on the return to Luckington. A Kestrel and Buzzard were seen and Skylark heard when the rain stopped and the weather brightened briefly. Also spotted were Goldfinch and a Linnet. The total bird count for the morning was 28 species. Thanks to Graham for leading. Alison Hooper

Thirteen of us started at a closed in, but dry, New Fancy View. Unfortunately, the birds did not play ball. Goshawks were seen before and after our time there. Some Siskins offered good views, as did a pair of Bullfinches on the way back to the cars. Next stop was Cannop Ponds, where many tits and finches provided quite the show, Marsh Tit the highlight. There were some Mandarins looking splendid as did the breeding plumage Little Grebe. On to Nagshead where we ate lunch by the pond, seeing the difference between frog and toad spawn. The reserve was quiet on our visit but we got good views of Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Parkend Church and Graveyard gave great sightings of two Firecrest, with two Hawfinch seen by some in the party. A few of us ventured back to New Fancy and were rewarded with seeing 15 Waxwings. A nice day, with a total of 46 species noted. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Page

The day was glorious, sun, no rain and little wind. People arrived, changed and shot up to the viewing platform at New Fancy View. I recall seeing 27 members but many other birders arrived too, who obviously felt the day had potential. Goshawk gave one brief, but good view and a few more of the ‘distant’ sort, Some calling Crossbills, many Chaffinches and Siskins were heard/seen from the platform. With the crush above, orderly couples sloped off, in succession, onto the east facing edge of the downward path, to look at, but not disturb a Common Lizard and an Adder that were enjoying the sun. After coffee, a short drive to Speech House gave us splendid views of Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and some colourful Chaffinches but alas no Hawfinch. Lunch was taken, surrounded by beauty and overlooking the causeway below the top pond at Cannop, It was a sloshy old walk round the west side of the bottom pond. However, many Mandarins were found plus the two flyover Goosanders we’d seen at lunch had joined up with two others and were really quite approachable. A Mute Swan  came over to ‘harrumph’ at us and the Greylag Goose came for a hand-out. As ever the feeders at the stone works were very busy, giving the queuing birds the appearance of Christmas decorations in the surrounding trees. A final tally of 48 species was OK for this brilliant day. (Thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge 

Unfortunately, this walk had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions (Snow!)

Eleven members met for our walk at Castle Combe, reputed to be one of England’s most beautiful villages. After tackling the complexities of the parking app we were able to set off on this lovely walk which led through the village, along footpaths, through wooded areas and open fields, past ponds and along quiet country lanes. From the car park we heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming with Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Goldfinch also calling. An excellent start. In the village we soon spotted a flock of Chaffinches and four Bullfinches, though they seem determined to hide behind branches. Continuing onward we could hear Nuthatch calling and Redwing were spotted. Leaving the village we stopped at a grassy bank where we had had our coffee break while enjoying splendid views over the valley watching two Muntjac in the far field. Our route then took us past an old water mill and through a field, where we saw Buzzards overhead, gulls circling and a Raven with its ‘cronking’ call. At the pond were three Grey Herons and many Canada Geese. Following the path around the field took great concentration as stepping off the path meant sinking into a morass inches deep! The return path was along a quiet country lane and footpath where the final surprise was a Sparrowhawk that flew up from the hedgerow and gave a short display of speed and agility. Thanks to Alan and Nick for keeping the impressive bird list of 41 species, and to Geoff for leading. Di Bunniss

On a rare dry day 66 members turned up to find the leader was sporting wellies. The recent rain resulted in a lot of mud. Watercress Farm has rewilding and rewetting projects and the latter appears to be going very well. Before we set off a Red Kite flew over, which was a good start. The group turned into a crocodile of birders which over the morning recorded 41 species. Apart from the Red Kite, the group also saw Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Redwing and Fieldfare were spotted along with Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and Jay. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen and a Green Woodpecker that merged with the grass and was very difficult to see. Of the smaller species there were Linnet, Bullfinch and Siskin but, sadly, no Yellowhammer. Many thanks to Alastair for leading this very popular and interesting walk. I’m informed the 66 birders was a record attendance for the BOC. Beth Yates

The weather for this trip was warm, dry and with a little sunshine, a change from usually expected conditions. The first part of the trip took us on a walk from Exminster to Powderham. Looking across the RSPB marshes we could see many species of wildfowl with Canada and Brent Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal and Lapwing. A Water Rail ran along one of the road ditches. In the wet fields there were good numbers of Curlews, with Oystercatchers feeding, the hedges along the roads gave us Goldfinch, Siskin, Goldcrest, a Cetti’s Warbler singing and Chiffchaff in full song. Skylarks were singing overhead as we made our way down the canal towpath to the Turf Hotel, where we took time to look out over the River Exe to Topsham. This is where the majority of waders could be seen, large numbers of Avocet, Dunlin, Knot, Golden and Grey Plover, Bar-tailed and Blacktailed Godwits, Lapwing, also a Greenshank and seven Red-breasted Mergansers. As we walked along the footpath towards Powderham Church to meet up with the coach, in a field with sheep we could see many Cattle Egret (possibly 30) and also 20 Little Egret. This first part of the walk produced 62 species. Moving on to Dawlish Warren we first took a look at the sea from the lifeguard station, here we managed to see Shag, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe and Gannets but no divers. A few decided to take a walk up the beach to see what else we could find, the best being an Eider Duck resting on one of the sand banks. As we walked back towards the coach we had a look around the lake and nature reserve area near the visitors’ centre where we saw Greenfinch, Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest and Goldfinch with good views of two Cirl Buntings finishing the day off nicely. This part of the walk produced 28 species. (Thanks to Judy for organising the trip and Gordon for leading) Gordon Youdale