Field trip reports

Our party of 29 were mostly prepared for the chilly north wind that saw us zipping up our coats and fleeces good and tight. An obliging Corn Bunting stayed on its wire until we’d trooped over the road up the lane and could stand virtually beneath it. Skylark started to sing, a couple of Swallows headed east over the track and many Rooks and Carrion Crows could be heard up ahead. Another Corn Bunting stayed on its perch for us to admire, while a couple of Chaffinch trilled from Culverslade Farm and more Skylarks sang and chased around the fields. The first of the Buzzards appeared, suitable escorted by a corvid or three. A distant Yellowhammer was good to see as were the ones we found at the coffee stop on Rushmead Lane. A wander to and from Tormarton Road saw a couple of Red-legged Partridges scuttle up the hedge line before being lost to sight. Deer and a Brown Hare were an added attraction and by the turn, up to seven Yellowhammers and many Linnets had been counted and seen. The local Red Kite put in an appearance as did a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. Nearly back, we caught site of a pair of Ravens hedge hopping over the fields heading west. Many thanks to Chris for leading. Nick Hawkridge

Five members made the trip to Franchises Lodge, the only inland RSPB reserve in the New Forest. Izzy, the reserve manager, led us around a large and varied woodland and described the ongoing work to build a mosaic habitat including felling and removal of rhododendron. A Wood Warbler was heard in the car park and it didn’t take long to hear many more and get great sightings as we moved into open birch woodland where we also saw a pair of dancing Marsh Tits, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Coal Tit and Blackcap, and a recently fledged Song Thrush. Hearing 30+ Firecrests (probably outnumbering the Goldcrests) the group only caught two or three glimpses but this was made up for by some unfamiliar raspberry noises in an overgrown hedgerow leading us to a flock of Siskins with Redpolls amongst them. A pit-stop at a new RSPB residential centre replete with bird, bat and swift boxes gave us a pair of Grey Wagtails that ignored the facilities to nest in a shed roof. Our sunny lunch stop in some open ground filled out the species list with Long-tailed Tit, Grey Wagtail, Greenfinch and Goldfinch before a brief sighting of a Redstart on our way to a large pond with Canada Goose, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe. We also came across a large herd of Fallow Deer complete with a White Harte which we were told is left alone by hunters to make the herds easier to identify. The highlight of the day was seeing a Buzzard overhead chased away by a Goshawk which followed with a brief victory lap. The walk gave us 42 bird species and unusually no gulls, Woodpigeon or Pheasant. Thanks to Mike Jackson for coordinating and to Izzy for leading. Ian Price

Thirty walkers set out on a bright and breezy day through woodland full of wood anemones, wild garlic and bluebells, and then back along the River Avon past the heronry. Thirty six bird species were seen or heard including a Treecreeper feeding its mate, Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Moorhen, Buzzard, ten Mallard ducklings and, of course, the Grey Herons. Surprisingly there were no Cormorants to be seen but we did watch a roe deer sitting peacefully in a field, unperturbed by us walkers. (Thanks to Karen for leading). Karen Birmingham

This joint walk with the Bristol Naturalists’ Society had more than 30 people meet in the car park with high hopes of hearing Grasshopper Warbler and seeing some spring migrants. It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the lovely views as well as good company. The birds did not disappoint either with displaying Whitethroat and Linnet at Sand Point, as well as singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap. The local Peregrine patrolled while Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipits and Goldfinches migrated overhead on their journey across the water to Wales. Whilst the first Avon Cirl Bunting since 1991 (seen the week before) was not repeated, we did find an almost equally rare bird for Sand Point in the shape of a very smart looking Marsh Tit. This was the first one seen on Sand Point since 1996 and was keeping the company of a Coal Tit. Two Grasshopper Warblers gave their distinctive call. On then to Middle Hope where we didn’t see any Wheatear but a very smart male Redstart gave great views, while a Sparrowhawk gave its best Merlin impression. Skylarks delighted with great views and their iconic song, while smart looking Stonechats and singing Greenfinch added to the day. Overall, 37 species were seen by the main group, with another ten seen during the visit. Thanks to Giles for leading. Nick Page

Seventeen members met at the overflow car park of the American Museum, a re-arranged meeting place as the original meeting point was inaccessible due to road works. Coran, a new member, met with us for the first time. Wind gusts up to 35mph and cold temperatures meant that bird sightings were fewer than usual. We were rewarded early on with a clear view of a Mistle Thrush at the top of a tree. Robins were out in force, (twelve seen or heard in total) and 15 Blackcaps were heard, (but not seen) as we wandered through Bathampton Wood. Nine Herring Gulls and seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls were gathered on Bathampton Down and four Linnets were seen in flight there. We had sightings also of four Blue Tits, one Greenfinch, three Goldfinch and one Jay. Near the end of the walk, two Great Tits were spotted courting and a single Pied Wagtail was in one of the university’s playing fields among numerous Jackdaw. The total bird count for the morning was 21 species. Thanks to Graham for leading and to Nick for the species list. Alison Hooper 

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