Field trip reports

beyond the carpark but sadly it did not show itself. We found large numbers of Mute Swans, a flock of Lapwings soaring plus Coot and many ducks. Groups of Wigeons and colourful Shovelers, 200 of each and nearly as many smart looking Gadwalls. A variety of other usual duck species were fairly numerous with the noticeable exception of Mallards, where only ten were seen. There was a single Grey Heron, two Great Egrets, no Little Egrets but we had a brief view of Snipe flying over and heard a Water Rail. A mixed flock of Tits followed our progress along the path, apparently hoping for food. A couple of very confiding Great Tits tried to persuade us by using the outer twigs of bushes closest to us, pointedly “chatting” to us! Three Robins singing in a bush on the edge of the path, sat unusually close to each other. Six Buzzards were also seen. On the Shapwick Heath Reserve it was good to hear Bullfinch, Cetti’s Warbler and to have an amazing seven Marsh Harriers in the air at the same time, near Tower Hide, before thousands of Starlings came in. The Starlings were however, distant, at the furthest point of the reserve, with no great murmurations this time. A total of 46 species. (Thanks to Sue for leading).Sue Watson

22 people came together at Abbots Leigh and thanks to beautiful weather we had a lovely morning’s walk, despite the near-freezing temperature. Long-tailed Tits were waiting to greet us at the entrance to the Leigh Court drive and there was, of course, a Buzzard in view on a tree. Magpies were everywhere (highest count 22!) and Jackdaws and Crows much in evidence. Most of the birds were found once we had walked through Leigh Woods and arrived at the river. Our first Common Sandpiper was not far away on the mud, and several more were seen. As the tide started dropping, lines of Redshanks flew upriver calling, a lovely sound. Surprising were a flock of 31 Dunlin wheeling over the river in the sunshine and a pair of Wigeons; neither are often seen upriver. A Sparrowhawk was chasing a Raven, a Green Woodpecker was seen in a field, a Curlew flew over, some people saw Snipe emerging from the rushes and Pied Wagtails fluttered around. Along the bank on the far side were six resting Herons, strategically placed at a distance from each other. On Ham Green lake were Mallard, Moorhens and a Cormorant, with a Song Thrush up in the tree beside us. Back towards the cars we added House Sparrows in the hedges. 42 species. (Thanks to Judy for leading.) Judy Copeland

16 people met on a chilly grey day. We started our walk through the orchard and soon spotted Fieldfares, adding all the other commonly seen thrushes including Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrushes over time. Along the shore line we saw a variety of waders including Curlew, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank, and a number of ducks including Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck. Three different pipit species were present: Rock and Meadow Pipit,, and significantly a Water Pipit on the saltmarsh near the yacht club. The highlight of the walk for me was seeing a Black Redstart as it posed beautifully for us in full view. There were also very good views of male and female Reed Buntings. Away from the estuary we encountered plenty of other birds of which my favourites were Snipe, Water Rail (heard), Bullfinch, Greenfinch, and a Skylark singing. At the end of the walk we watched a male and female Peregrine interacting with each other on a pylon near the car park. 52 species recorded. (Thanks to Peter for leading) Lynda Moysey

On a chilly morning 21 birdwatchers set off from Hinton Blewitt. There were plenty of Goldfinches about, with a few Redwings, Greenfinches, and two Chaffinches. As we walked down the steep hill towards Coley we saw Long-tailed Tits and two Goldcrests. We heard, then saw, a Nuthatch. The rivers were running high and fast in the village, and water levels at the reservoirs were also high. We saw three Grey Herons, also Mallards, Dabchicks, Moorhens, and one Teal. At the coffee break a Red Kite and a flock of Lapwings flew over. A lucky few saw a Kingfisher at the far end of the second lake. We returned mainly by the lanes and saw Siskins, Bullfinches, and a Chiffchaff. The total for the morning was 45 species. (Thanks to Sue and John for leading). Sue Prince

Five of us turned up the day storm ‘Gerrit’ hit and did it ever rain! We started with a circular and very muddy walk around the mounds where not a lot was to be seen other than around a dozen Goldfinches to start with a few Herring Gulls and many Black-headed Gulls. Making use of the seating at the Beach Hut Café, we stopped for coffee and were serenaded the whole time by a Song Thrush. After we finished the circuit we had a discussion as to whether it was worth visiting Hawkfield Meadow. As it was under a foot of water we decided best not to and drove to Manor Woods, and were glad we did as the bird count was fairly numerous (and the rain stopped). First we heard, then subsequently saw a Raven, a little while later a Jay was spotted as we continued to the Malago, which is generally little more than a stream but was more like a white water rapid! Entering the woods we found a decent area where we stopped for a good while as we noticed many Long-tailed Tits along with Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, half a dozen Goldcrests, Wren plus a lovely Nuthatch fluttering around. Continuing on we managed a Grey Wagtail but alas no Teal which are generally seen here. It all ended in quite a decent day with 24 species. (Thanks to Graham for leading). Graham Blacker

21 members met in the car park of Slimbridge on a dry but overcast day, and the only leading was to the main entrance! Once through, the group always scatter as they head for the various hides. As usual some headed straight for the Holden Tower Hide which has great views over the fields towards the Severn estuary, while others made for the Rushy Hide which looks out over one of the lakes. No matter which starting point was chosen, we were together but in smaller groups and the more experienced were able to point out the birds that were less easy to spot. My ‘Bird of the Day ‘ was the Ruff with its startling white head. The other, a close second, was the Spotted Redshank, which was remarkably difficult to pick out from among the many Common Redshanks but, once identified, suddenly seemed so obviously different. Thanks to the very patient people with scopes who let me see the bird clearly. Most of the geese were spotted including Brent, Barnacle, Snow, Ross’s and White-fronted. A Marsh Harrier was disturbing the hundreds of Golden Plovers and Lapwings, which put on an impressive display as they flew up in huge flocks, circled and settled again. It would be impossible to list all the birds seen but a combination of two lists came to an impressive total of 71 species. (Thanks to Di for leading) Di Bunniss

As the Song Thrush sang and the Jay foraged, we 14 set off along the usual route. A Moorhen on the river had found a refuge in the middle of the madly rushing water and up the first stretch were Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, the usual Blue and Great Tit all foraging among the trees and never stopping for a moment. A Nuthatch finally stopped long enough to be seen clearly before slipping away down the far side of his tree trunk. Our first and only winter thrushes in the shape of Redwings flew over as we came to Vassall’s Park and our coffee stop (thanks for the bikkies and sweets). Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the trees as we headed towards the river again but most special was a group of c20 Siskin feeding acrobatically in the Alder tops. Splashing through the mud, back along the river, we only really added the expected Mallard and Grey Wagtail. Sadly, Kingfisher and even Grey Heron were missing. It was all in all a lovely walk (32 species) and the first on a Tuesday for Emily F whom we were most glad to welcome. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Hawkridge

The heavy overnight rain was still falling as I arrived at Goblin Combe. My hope of a swift return home was confounded when seven other people turned up so I was compelled to lead the walk. We thought we would be lucky to see the Buzzard perched in its usual tree near the car park, but a dark shape appeared, flew low over the field before disturbing roosting pigeons as it landed. Birds were hard to find as we trudged up the muddy path. A flock of ten Redwings vacated the trees above us. A couple of Coal Tits and a Goldcrest were among the few sightings. The rain eased off, as forecast, by the coffee break with better luck as we went up the hill towards Wrington Warren; two flocks of Long-tailed Tits and a few Blue and Great Tits. Bullfinch as we walked towards Cleeve Toot, a couple of people heard Tawny Owl. The Avon Wildlife Trust has radically thinned part of the woodland but we still heard Great Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh Tit. The weather cleared as we reached the end of the walk and the birds were back in business. Mistletoe covered trees were full of Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Tits and a Song Thrush. We managed 26 species, the weather notwithstanding. (Thanks to Alastair for leading) Alastair Fraser

Eight members met at Herriotts Bridge on an overcast day, about 10c with a south-westerly breeze. The water was quite high with few if any waders about. 27 species were present on the pool and the lake including four Egyptian Geese, Great White Egret, a Goldeneye and an unusual Tufted Duck with a bright blue stripe across its bill. Moving on to Stratford Hide, we were greeted by a Sparrowhawk which flew over as we approached the hide. A Kingfisher flew by as we entered and we were treated to views of two Marsh Harrier, the sound of Water Rail and large rafts of waterfowl. At Moreton we picked out one female and one 1st year male Scaup amongst a raft of ducks including several Goldeneyes, along with Tufted Duck and Pochard. At Heron’s Green we saw the Egyptian Geese again. There was a Little Grebe and a Little Egret on the pool and we added Wigeon to the list on the lake. A single Common Sandpiper was working its way along the lake edge. We moved to Woodford Lodge in the hope of finding the Firecrest which had been reported, but no such luck. We did manage to find Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Treecreeper along the Recreational Trail between the Lodge and the Dam, with more Goldeneye and a large (c200) raft of Common Gulls at the Dam. . 63 species seen or heard in all. (Thanks to Alan for leading ) Alan Daniels

On an unexpectedly sunny day over 40 walkers met at The Riverside, where the BOC Christmas lunch was to be held. We set off, looking at the very high river level, for our flexible walk. Most took the higher path, affording interesting views and seeing common small birds including two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush and seven Blackbirds. Joining up with walkers who took “The Shallows” road next to the river gave us Blackcap, a flock of Fieldfares overhead and Cormorants perched high above the water. The group divided again with either the ‘Jolly Sailor’ or Avon Farm routes being chosen. We saw more small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings, a showy Mistle Thrush, a smart Jay and the usual small birds. As we neared Avon Farm a Red Kite was spotted along with a Linnet. Then it was an easy walk back down the road to our lunch venue, picking up Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a good number of Greenfinches as well as more Goldcrests, Goldfinch and small groups of Tits. Our splendid Christmas lunch gave us an opportunity to thank Graham Blacker for organising our well-attended, popular Tuesday walks. It was good to keep up the Tuesday Group Christmas walk and lunch tradition. Thanks to Mike Landen for arranging it so efficiently; a most enjoyable occasion all round with fine weather and plenty of birds, 36 species altogether. Thanks to Robert for leading and managing to get us back for lunch in a timely fashion! Anne Crowe