Field trip reports

It was a dull, cold day so it was not surprising that just 15 of us arrived at Chew Magna, the new meeting place for this walk. The first part of the walk was quiet with mainly common species including Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit. Turning off Denny Lane the path widens out. We soon spotted a mixed flock of about 70 Fieldfares and Redwings, a Kestrel was hovering and a Sparrowhawk was in flight. A flock of at least 14 Magpies was noted, followed by a Buzzard. A Grey Wagtail, a flock of about 20 Woodpigeon and a flock of Starlings was seen. A house with garden feeders probably accounted for quite a large number of birds in the surrounding trees that included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Collared Dove and Feral Pigeon. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Towards the lake more Redwings were seen and a Bullfinch heard. At the Lake, we heard the distinctive, loud call of a Cetti’s Warbler from the reed-bed. A Goldcrest was heard and there were good views of a female Stonechat. On the lake itself good numbers of Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Teal, Goosander, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull were present. We had good views of both male and female Goldeneye and a Kingfisher flying across the Lake. Some had a fleeting view of a Green Sandpiper. On the return leg, a group of seven Long-tailed Tits and a Treecreeper were seen. It was a pleasant walk with a total of 55 species. Thanks to Alan and Nick for keeping the record of birds.. (Also thanks to Mike for leading) Mike Landen

Five hardy members met, two of whom were new to the club, myself included. This was my first walk with the BOC. The weather was very cold, still and foggy. Frost laden spider webs were in great abundance throughout the morning. With the weather conditions what they were we had to rely on hearing as well as visual identification. The walk began down past Thingwall Park allotments with Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin and Blue Tits. We reached the Frome Valley Walkway and turned north to find a single Kingfisher, which we were privileged enough to see actually catching fish. For me this was the highlight of the walk., We continued by the river and saw large numbers of Long-tailed Tits feeding in the trees as well as Great Tits. Also, hiding in ivy on a tree trunk was a Goldcrest. Then we turned south towards Eastville Park lake. Here we heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the woods, this sound accompanied us around the frozen lake. On the lake were Mute Swan, Mallard, Black-headed Gulls, Moorhen, Coot, a large flock of Feral Pigeons and a Grey Heron. With the cold becoming more bitter we began our return to the start point. Here we were lucky enough to see a couple of Redwings along with Robin, Pied Wagtail and Jay. We also checked the brook for any signs of Dippers, but today they were elusive. A total of 24 species seen. Thanks to Richard for leading. Chris Holloway

Fourteen people set off from Lansdown P&R for an almost five mile level walk; weather, though gloomy remained dry and still. We set off across the playing field passing the first of over a hundred Common Gulls, and then skirted the racecourse. At the busy roadside we found a small group of Collared Doves and a fine pair of Stonechats. Suddenly a big flock of around 500 Golden Plovers appeared in the sky, Peregrine in pursuit. We were treated to a great display. The path through the golf course brought us Goldcrests in the conifers and took us to our coffee stop by the Racecourse stables. Here was a very showy Raven, which turned out to be one of a pair, and many Fieldfares and Redwings enjoying the berries, and a Kestrel. The next leg was through woodland where we had good views of Treecreeper, Nuthatch and other usual suspects. Then it was time to turn back through the muddy fields on the other side of the busy main road, passing a large flock of corvids, mostly Jackdaws. Trees and bushes along the way contained good numbers of Chaffinches with a few Linnet, Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits; Skylarks were seen. Nearing the end we were pleased with a flock of Starlings flying up onto the telegraph wires next to us. It had been a rewarding walk, in spite of the Golden Plover not settling down in their usual field for us, with good sized flocks of birds and 37 species altogether. Thanks to Robert our leader. Anne Crowe

Six of us met in the RSPB car park for the Club walk. It was well timed, between all the rain and floods and then the cold, allowing us to enjoy a lovely stroll around Ham Wall. A Firecrest was seen right next to car park which didn’t linger until the walk started properly, but we had excellent looks at another later – such a great little bird. We quickly picked up Redwing, Fieldfare and a Great White Egret, before Snipe, grebes and diving ducks at the first viewing platform. The next part along the main path was fantastic with the Firecrest, Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, before we picked up a large flock of finches. There were at least 40 birds, mostly Lesser Redpolls, which gave great views, and some Siskin and Goldfinches. We had seen Marsh Harriers all morning, but as we were heading back, we saw at least seven in the air together – such a great sight. On the way we saw the flock of finches again – the Redpoll were so quiet that they really took some spotting. As we arrived back to the first viewing platform, a Glossy Ibis decided to drop in – a lovely end to a great walk. A total of 58 species was seen. Thanks to those that came along – lots of great company amongst the excellent birds (and thanks to Nick for leading). Nick Page

A change of leader; from that advertised, a dull dank day, but 17 wasn’t a bad sized group to squelch our way round the thoughtfully provided route details (thanks Graham). A flight of white doves attracted our notice but were only a distraction from the tail bobbing Stonechat that showed very well. A few Skylarks called as they travelled east across the fields and couple of cock Pheasants strutted their stuff. Many winter thrushes flew over but not in any particular direction, with scope work required to count and check ID. As we drank our coffee a trio of Stock Doves winged over and our displaced leader appeared to wish us well before he departed for home. The first pond contained a nice Little Grebe, a clucking Moorhen, some Mallards, three white ducks and a beautiful ‘small’ greylag shaped goose. Up the hill a nice stand of conifer, Ash, and Alder contained Goldfinch, Redwing and a good number of Siskin. We crossed the stream, continuing uphill; and onto the Cotswold Way, where, not far on, someone spotted a Treecreeper, which was accompanied by Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch – a fine collection. More winter thrushes continued to pass through as we headed home, with a final Great Spotted Woodpecker seeing us back to the cars. Many thanks also to the stand in leader, Alan. Nick Hawkridge

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