Field trip reports

19 members joined Geoff in the East Harptree car park, not realising what was in store for them. Our route took us past Smithams Chimney, then downhill across fields. It took some time to safely cross the cattle field but the reward was Spotted Flycatchers. We then went down Harptree Coombe which was difficult going with many fallen trees and a lot of mud. Then across to Morgan’s Cottage and eventually back to the car park, a distance of just over three miles. In total the group identified 27 species including Red Kite and Sparrowhawk. There were great views of Swallows and House Martins feeding on the wing and among the other birds were Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap. One member of the party was particularly pleased to see a Nuthatch as this was a lifer for them. Many thanks to Geoff for leading the walk on a lovely sunny morning and to Alan for his bird list. Beth Yates

Nine people met at The Lodge at 10.00 on a pleasant, sunny morning. A few early birders had already had a look at the dam and found two Common Sandpiper. We were greeted by Nigel Milbourne, who took us down to the water’s edge to scan around the lake. Sand and House Martins were flying around and we could see other birds on the dam including three Egyptian Geese and two Pied Wagtail. We set off around the lake finding many small birds in the trees and bushes including Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, and Treecreeper. 

Despite August being a slow month for birds and Graham warning of steep and possibly muddy paths, 20 members met in the car park of the Railway Inn. Our route took us up into Sandford Wood, then Lyncombe Wood and through the grounds of the Ski Centre (Mendip Activity Centre) where elevenses were enjoyed. Then along tracks to Pylewell and back via Sandford Batch. Birds were hard to find but we were compensated by many lovely flowers and butterflies. Eventually the group recorded 32 species, of which my highlight was a flock of Swallows stocking up on food for their migration flight. The group also located Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Peregrine as well as Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Of the smaller birds, the group’s list included Blackcap, Nuthatch, Bullfinch and Spotted Flycatcher. Many thanks to our leader Graham for a lovely rain-free morning and to Alan for his bird list. Beth Yates

Our optimistic band of twelve set out in the drizzle, beginning our walk beside drainage ditches at the village edge. Apart from Woodpigeons, not much to see, even on the bird feeders in the gardens. More luck later with a variety of woodland and farmland birds: eight Long-tailed tits, Blue tit, Great tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Greenfinch, Linnet and 33 House Martins. Just past the farm buildings the hedgerow was alive with c100 House Sparrows which flew off as we approached, and over the wheat fields we saw Skylarks and Swallows. The low tide exposed extensive sand banks, and from the sea wall, thanks to Alan’s scope, we saw 26 Ringed Plovers, also Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Egret, Mallard and Grey Heron. There was a good view of a Whinchat, and over 50 Goldfinches moved to and fro between the trees and the thistle seeds near the river and flew off en masse, perhaps due to the Sparrowhawk that came over soon afterwards. As we passed the slurry pit a Green Sandpiper and a Hobby went over and Reed Warbler was heard in the reeds nearby. Other birds spotted were Buzzard, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Willow Warbler, Swift, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen and Dunnock. The intermittent drizzle did not spoil the walk, and we were rewarded with a very pleasing count of 40 species. Thanks to Alan for the tally and Alastair for leading. Carol Clark

There were 15 in the group that gathered on a warm but windy Sunday for this popular walk. We were fortunate that the tide was coming in, bringing the birds into closer view. Common Sandpipers were resting on the lowest edge of the cliff, Oystercatchers were on the shore line and Whinchat and Meadow Pipit on the near shore among the rocks. Walking on, we saw Swifts, soon to leave us for another year. Rock Pipits were flitting along the rocky shore, and a solitary Skylark soared. A flock of Linnets flew past, and more were seen as we walked. At the far end where the path ends, we could see many Curlews among the gulls, with Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin and many Black-headed Gulls with a few Lesser Black-backed gulls among them. The sun was rapidly disappearing behind ominous clouds and rain threatened but held off as we made our way back. An Egret landed in the reeds, more Linnets seen and a Heron flew over. The tide was by now very high and the waves were coming over the path forcing us to dodge the spray. Hastily leaving for higher ground we were soon retracing our steps back to the Blind Yeo, where there were a few Moorhens to be seen. At the Pill the tide was now well in and on the lower cliffs were many Oystercatchers sheltering with the gulls. 43 species recorded. Thanks to Jane for leading. DI Bunniss

Sunshine and warmth – No rain! And 26 people. Jackdaws foraged on the Green, a Collared Dove on a roof and a Herring Gull above. In the wood we heard Great Tit, Wren, Coal Tit, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Robin and Chaffinch. A Goldcrest was quite close on a hanging conifer branch and our first Nuthatch was calling loudly. Several more heard and seen during the walk, Treecreepers too. At the coffee break by the gate to Charlton Farm, an Avon Wildlife Trust van arrived with helmeted staff and chain saws – fallen trees. On the path down to the stream were more helmeted people cutting bracken – hard work! We heard a Buzzard and saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker on a high branch. The odd Swallow and Swift flew over. Among the fungi we encountered, Jean identified Black Bulgar which grows only on dead oak branches. A really good sighting was a Spotted Flycatcher, very white at the top of a Silver Birch, then flying. We climbed to the field above the wood, then crossed into a field bordering the drive to the Downs School. A Kestrel on a wire flew up causing 50 plus Jackdaws to lift off and circle over. Out in the open, after returning through the wood, were several hawker dragonflies flying over the path. Butterflies included Green-veined White, other Whites, Speckled Wood, Comma and Gatekeeper. We heard Greenfinch back in Portbury with House Martins flying over. Total species 32. (Thanks to Judy for leading). Judy Copeland

Twelve of us met at Herriotts Bridge to look at a very full pool, which is not currently as good for waders as it used to be. There were many Teal and a Little Grebe family among the usual suspects. After a while we managed to pick out the Spotted Redshank that we hoped for and a Great White Egret was splendid in flight. As we started to move to Herons Green, some of the party picked up Green and Common Sandpiper before they left. At Herons Green there was a Common Sandpiper, and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover was well found. A pale Buzzard, many Pied Wagtail and a Great Crested Grebe with a young chick were the other highlights of this stop. We then walked to the Villice Bay hide and most of the way around Nunnery Point. The day was a warm one without much rain, and butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies were out in force in the un-mown meadows, testing our knowledge and ID skills. There were many nice conversations and I really enjoyed ‘leading’ my first BOC walk; thanks to everyone for making it an enjoyable morning (Thanks to Nick for leading). Nick Page

We gathered in the car park and set off along the downhill path towards the mansion. The woodland was quiet but the display of butterflies was a source of great interest, with the Silver-Washed Fritillary being the star. A Treecreeper was seen, House Martins were circling high above, and Chiffchaff called. Our designated Coffee break at the Boat House was enhanced by a National Trust volunteer who gave an informative talk on the history of the valley and the work being done in the surrounding woods and fields. From the Boat House to the lunch spot was but a short stroll along a board walk fringing the lake and through a field, where we heard the call of the Bullfinch to add to the bird list. More butterflies and flowers were identified and admired. Once at the lunch spot, some sought the shelter of the old Dog Kennels (a large barn with picnic tables) while the others rested at the lakeside. On the lake were two Mandarin ducks in the rather drabber eclipse plumage, and a small family of Blackcaps feeding close by. On the return path we had more Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs with Buzzards circling overhead. By the mansion a Raven was calling close by. Another long rest here was required before we tackled the gentle uphill path back to the car park. 29 bird species recorded and eight species of butterfly. (Thanks to Di for leading and organising the NT talk.) Di Bunniss

Eight of us met to walk around the lake, lagoons and riverside. The weather was cool and very windy so it was a challenge to find many birds. Two Mute Swans and a few Mallards and Moorhens were on the lake, and Chiffchaff were calling from the trees. Goldfinches were busy feeding in the shrubs by the edge of the lake. The path to the river was quiet but there were plenty of butterflies on the bramble flowers which we were able to identify. Walking towards the Power station we watched three Kestrels in flight, hovering in the strong wind, and Swallows circled above. Reaching the Power station itself, Pied Wagtails were on the footpath and concrete areas and a small flock of Linnets flew past. By a smaller pond we watched a Reed Warbler dart back and forth between the reeds and the bushes behind us, obviously collecting insects to feed young. A Whitethroat was heard using its rather harsh contact call. For a very windy and cool day in mid July, we still enjoyed the walk and identified plenty of plants, butterflies and dragonflies as well as the occasional bird. 24 species recorded. (Many thanks to Di for leading.) Di Bunniss

19 members met in the Griffin pub car park. A possible Red Kite sighting was discounted as it was before 10:00, also a pair of Ravens. When we got underway we started off with a large and noisy flock of Starlings on the edge of the ‘Vicars’ housing estate. This was followed by some Swifts flying over. We then joined the Dramway, which at this point is a ‘holloway’; various birds were heard but not seen! We crossed into Warmley Forest Park where coffee was had by the lake. Disappointingly the last walk’s count of 18 Moorhens was not realised, coming in at two adults and two chicks. From there we crossed fields to Goose Green seeing flocks of various tits, and along to the Forest of Avon with a flock of 35 Goldfinches. This took us back through forest tracks to the Griffin, observing 37 species avian and uncounted lepidopteran on the way. The weather was kind but increasingly humid as the day progressed. (Thanks to Geoff for leading.) Geoff Hardman