Field trip reports

Four BOC diehards turned up despite the fact that it was blowing a hooley from the west, so I had to stay and complete the WeBS count instead of going home to warm up by the fire – which is just as well, because the final numbers were pretty good for this much disturbed shoreline. It was hard to count accurately in the wind but together we decided on the duck numbers: 327 Shelduck, 180 Teal, a dozen Wigeon and about 20 Mallard. Then the waders: 42 Oystercatchers, two Ringed Plovers on the beach, a conservative estimate of at least 1500 Dunlins huddled together out on Black Rock, and about 75 Redshanks roosting almost invisibly along the muddy banks of the river. We could only pick out one Curlew until something spooked the birds and 24 more flew out of the long grass; then a Lapwing flock numbering at least 350 got up over the distant levels. Gull numbers were very low although two Common Gulls were of note; on my way home I passed large flocks in fields so a lot of them had probably sought shelter inland. Having done our WeBS duty we decided it wasn’t worth climbing Walborough Hill in the teeth of the gale, so after an hour we got gratefully back into our cars and left the walking bit for another day. (Thanks to Jane and her companions for sticking it out for the hour!) Jane Cumming

Heavy rain was forecast but we were undeterred. Our small group of eight set off and in the first field we quickly spotted a large mixed flock of Goldfinches and Chaffinches, twelve Collared Doves all settled in one tree, two Greenfinches, Blackbird, Crow and Jackdaw. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was perched high on a tree. An excellent start. Squelching onwards the next field provided Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Robin. A large flock of Redwings flew over with Fieldfares among them. The Skylark field was a delight with many Skylarks soaring above and singing, even in the rain. We were all rather sodden but fortunately found shelter in an old barn where we could wait out the worst of the storm and enjoy our coffee. The further fields provided more sightings of Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch and Linnet. The rain finally stopped at midday, the sun came out and we could return to the start under blue skies while enjoying views over towards Bristol and Avonmouth. It was a lovely walk despite the rain, with a good tally of 25 species seen. Thanks to Judy for leading and Nick for keeping a bird count. Di Bunniss

Four brave souls arrived at the RSPB Newport Wetlands car park on a day planned to be Wetlands first, then Goldcliff. The forecast was dire, and it wasn’t far wrong. Low cloud and rain encouraged us to take good advice and go straight to Goldcliff and the shelter afforded by the hides. But first we had an interesting chat with a couple of RSPB guys in the Centre, and heard about the seven Bearded Tits seen earlier in the week, as well as the fly-by Bittern. After clocking our first Cetti’s call in the car park, and observing a crowd of Long-tailed Tits flitting in the trees, we headed for Curlew Hide, Goldcliff. In spite of the hanging mist and the rain, we had a good view of a Snipe across Monk’s Lagoon, a Wren called in front of us, and Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Shoveler and Gadwall were flushed as a Marsh Harrier wheeled overhead. During an easement of the rain, we walked to the sea wall as three Little Egret flew overhead and examined the estuary mud where Curlews were calling beautifully, Oystercatchers pottered, and Black-Headed and Herring Gulls were seen. No Avocet at Avocet hide but plenty of Curlews, a Cormorant, Greylag Goose, as well as a Stonechat pair and a Robin plus plenty of ducks. The weather was still excessively damp so we decided to finish the day, but on the way back to the cars we enjoyed Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, several tit species, Mistle Thrush, corvids, Dunnock, Chaffinch, and another Little Egret in the field. Species count was 37, not bad for only half a day and conditions less than ideal. (Many thanks to John for leading.) John Skinner

25 birders met at Heron’s Green in fine and sunny weather. The usual Mute Swans, Coots, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebes, and ducks (Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted, and Pochard) were present. Little Grebe and Cetti’s Warbler called from Heron’s Pool. As we started up Breach Hill a Green Woodpecker called, and later we saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Pied Wagtails, Chaffinches, and a few Redwings were spotted as well as five Mistle Thrushes and a Fieldfare. At the coffee stop sweets were handed out to mark 25 years of Tuesday walks for the Princes. At Ubley Hatchery we had good views of a Buzzard, and heard Siskins. Tree surgeons had closed the lane but John persuaded them to let us through, saving a long detour. The final mile was quiet with just a Chiffchaff ‘wheeting’. In all we had 42 species and saw some lovely autumn colours. (Thanks to Sue and John for many years of leading). Sue Prince

Despite heavy rain being forecast for the walk when crossing both the fields and up Sandford Hill, we were very lucky to have sunshine until returning back to our cars, when the rain started. The largest number and variety of birds were in the woods on the hill, including Jay, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, all other ‘makes’ of Tit, Treecreeper and Robin. There were views of nearby terrain, the Mendips and down to Bridgwater Bay. Then as we descended in the open, there were also a couple of Ravens and Buzzards. The walk was slightly shortened due to some time being lost, which had resulted in two people returning to the start. Therefore, 17 people set off and 15 finished. It was enjoyed by all with 27 species seen. (Thanks to Sue for leading). Sue Watson

A total of 52 species of bird were seen, testimony to the fact that Frampton Pools has a good range of habitats. Starting at Court Lake, eleven members quickly spotted a Great White Egret across the water. Ducks were relatively thin on the ground but Wigeon and Gadwall were seen as well as Tufted Duck and a single Greylag Goose. Two small birds flitting over the surface attracted our attention, the first being an unexpected Swallow. The second was a small gull, initially some distance away but after a while it conveniently performed a flight over the group who were able to confirm this was a first winter Little Gull. A Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron and Little Egret were also seen at Court Lake. At the Sailing Lake there was not much on the water, just a couple of Great Crested Grebes. The platform held several gulls and, after scoping these for a while, we confirmed they were Black-Headed Gulls, three Common Gulls and a Yellow-Legged Gull that was initially sitting down (which made positive identification challenging) but later stood up to show its bright yellow legs. A Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, a Kestrel and three Ravens were also seen. There were a few Goldcrests in the trees between the lakes. (Thanks to Peter for leading) Peter Bryant

A car park filling 27 walkers basked in the autumnal warmth with the calls of Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, and Rook nearly making chatting difficult! A flock of Fieldfares, a Moorhen and a Grey Heron were startled from their foraging as we headed up the valley. No Dipper could be found, but up the path, above the ochre quarry, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper played hide and seek in the thickets and taller trees. Above the quarry a Peregrine flew and three Little Grebes, various gulls – including five Common plus seven Cormorants made good use of the abundant water. Our second Green Woodpecker was yaffling above us as we ate and supped our coffee. Swinging right at the road, we spotted both Grey and Pied Wagtail on the barns and Kestrel and Mistle Thrush on the power cables, with a lone Redwing in the adjacent field. Straight up the slope, with Blue and Great Tit in the hedges and a solitary Skylark calling as it passed over. Garden feeders at the corner house were well stocked and used by Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Greenfinch and the two Rhea in their garden compound on Bury Lane stood and stared back at us. Our final species count was 45, which included a Red Kite, skirting the hillside above the big house in the valley as we approached the pub. (Thanks to Geoff and Gill for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

18 members met outside HMP Ashfield for this new BOC walk around the lovely fields of Pucklechurch. As we entered the first of many fields we spotted lots of crows as we overlooked the amazing vista towards Lansdown. Proceeding onwards, Goldfinch were recorded along with Greenfinch surveying the scene from atop the trees. Leaving the first couple of fields we then walked a lovely quiet lane before once again finding a well-hidden footpath leading alongside a private property, the fields of which housed numerous very cute Alpacas who were only too pleased to greet us. We paused for coffee soon after this still enjoying the lovely views whilst three Buzzard gently hovered overhead. We plodded onward through a fairly muddy patch just before Blue Lodge – the house where Black Beauty was written. After a little more lane walking and into the final fields it was nice to see the top of Abson Church above the treetops. We spotted 29 species in all, the highlights being a Red Kite, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and how lovely it was to see the return of eight Redwings and around 60 Fieldfares. A lovely day was had by all (Thanks to Graham for leading). Graham Blacker

I arrived early to check that the Drove was indeed under water, so our party of six had to head round the tank! Some Coot were noted, which we later estimated at 600-700 after they’d been pushed together at the western edge by the yacht club safety boats. A solitary Shoveler was found; the other 28 having been flushed off by a hot air balloon that came over Fry’s Hill early on. A party of Cormorants were hanging out to dry; including some white breasted juveniles, with a flock of Canada Geese cruising about close by. No waders were seen as the popularity of the site “forced” some visitors down to the water’s edge so their precious dogs could drink and play. The regular Red-crested Pochard was found in among some Mallards and Teal but no sign of the Pintail reported earlier. A couple of Grey Wagtails were seen early but cousin Pied were very numerous, as indeed were Meadow Pipit. A single Little Egret was spotted in the farmland to the west of the tank and a Grey Heron to the south. A Raven flew from its roost over to the south west accompanied by a ‘persecution’ of Corvids. A total of 34 species were seen or heard. Thanks to Alan for the bird list (and to Nick for leading). Nick Hawkridge

18 members met in mild conditions, but misty to properly foggy. The birds at Tickenham village and moors were: Kestrel sleeping in church tower window, Cormorants including a juvenile sitting on one of the new style electricity pylons, a distant Peregrine sitting on another new pylon – confirmed from a photo after the meeting, Little Egret, Grey Heron including a confiding juvenile with smart black head, a Chiffchaff and a big group of Rooks swirling over the village. At the Golf course and paths in and out of woods: a Sparrowhawk, Pied Wagtail, a third year Herring Gull paddling for worms, a mixed tit flock of 16 or more, a flock of Long-tailed Tits, a small group of Goldcrests, a Bullfinch and Goldfinches, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzard, and a Jay. At Cadbury Camp were a Mistle Thrush in a distant tree soon to be rendered invisible by thickening mist, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, and an unidentified finch and warbler flock on a Hawthorn tree. Total 29 species (Thanks to Jan and Lois for leading). Jan Pridie and Lois Pryce