Field trip reports

18 of us waited in the RSPB car park for the rain to stop. Fifteen minutes after our start time our leader, Lewis, was able to address us in drier conditions. We set out along various paths that showed us the product of the careful management that this reserve benefits from. The principal practice is coppicing and is done in a cycle that has shown to best suit breeding Nightingales. The birds move in when the coppice is in its third year but then avoid coppice that is over nine years old. Different management strategies have been tried recently, one forced by Covid when a coppiced area could not be enclosed from browsing deer in time before a forced lockdown. This actually yielded a more varied, natural plot where the coppice stools were exposed to browsing while Blackthorn and Hawthorn were able to dominate. This suited one Nightingale that soon moved in and was singing for us in its second year running. This has encouraged similar management across the reserve and we were even able to detect a Willow Warbler holding territory in new growth scrub – not an expected species we were told by Lewis. Another unexpected species that has found favour at Highnam is Woodcock which regularly rodes over the woodland. Overall, two Nightingales sang, at least one of which was apparently paired. The dominant species, though was Song Thrush, their song constant and non-stop throughout our visit until the end when in the fading light a Nightingale took centre stage sending us all home very satisfied. (Thanks to Lewis for a very interesting evening) Mike Jackson

Two Whitethroats sang as we climbed the steps, a nearby Blackcap chimed in, as did a distant Chiffchaff. The top was not cold, the wind merely adding a refreshing zephyr to a warm day. Some Shelduck peppered the mud flats, a team of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull washed at the point, a couple of Swallow rowed past, with another Whitethroat flitting in the brush. As we walked the north facing path below Swallow Cliff, we were entertained by a pair of Stonechats, some Linnets and a Dunnock singing his tinkling song from a bramble stem. Post coffee, we ambled up the gentle slope, stopping to count the Linnets, Skylarks and an unseen Lesser Whitethroat. At Middle Hope beach the pair of Peregrines we had seen wheeling over the car park, made an attack, with the female making off with Woodpigeon. A few people bade farewell at the break out point, as we moseyed on to see a dozen Jackdaws, hear another Whitethroat and our first Greenfinch. At lunch we saw a couple of dozen Oystercatchers at the mouth of the River Banwell and a nesting pair of Shelducks. Alas as we climbed up past the MOD site, the hoped for Spotted Flycatcher failed to show, but pairs of courting Greenfinches did. The slow wander back to the cars with a final bird total of 32 seen or heard by most of the squad of 17 walkers. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Hawkridge

The weather forecast was wrong, who knew? An icy wind blew as 18 swiftly bundled up members assembled for a walk around the Angidy Trail. Nuthatches galore called and seemingly invisible Blackcaps sang as we headed out from the cars and started the climb up the hill. The first of many Buzzards was seen. Goldcrests made a brief appearance before we were dazed and confused again by Alan and his analemmatic sundials at Church Grove Cottage. Three Swallows whizzed past over the trees. Moving on, a Marsh Tit was heard but sadly not pinned down and Song Thrushes and a Green Woodpecker also told us they were there. At the ironworks, Grey and Pied Wagtails were present and as a surprise, two Red Kites wheeling away across the forest. Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Chaffinches and even a Blackcap were seen along the way. Coffee at the first pond gave us a pair of Mallards and a swift fly-by of a Dipper as we left. Further on, a Sparrowhawk was spotted and a variety of early Spring butterflies, Brimstone, Peacock, Holly Blue and Orange Tip. Lunch was held again in Sue’s lovely riverside garden, a resplendent male Chaffinch kept us company. Heading back we were treated to a display flight by Buzzards high above the valley. Thanks to Graham for leading and Sue for the kind use of her garden. 33 species in all. Alan Craddock

There was a healthy turnout of BOC members and birds on today’s walk. On first entering, seven Gadwall swooped in front of us. We unusually saw a Cetti’s Warbler perched out in the open on a pile of twigs. Bitterns boomed five times, three times, twice and flew across the landscape. Hobbies were aplenty flying high with Marsh Harriers, it was a great day for spotting them. The visiting Great Reed Warbler piped up, shortly after a Reed Warbler, a fascinating comparison. We had ten Swifts flying overhead, Cuckoos sounding at different areas across the site and an abundance of warblers, as mentioned plus Garden and Willow. Notably the Sedge Warbler performed for at least 30 minutes. Newly hatched damselflies were floating around, so young we couldn’t distinguish their colour yet. Also Orange- tipped and Brimstone butterflies. Chicks of Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, and Coot, were an endearing sight. Other highlights included sightings of a Black-tailed Godwit and a Whitethroat. A plentiful and abundant morning with 50 species sighted. (Thank you to Giles for leading.) Emily Fitzgerald

We met with the Somerset Ornithological Society at the unearthly hour of 08.15, some of our group were up at 05.00 to arrive in time. There were about five of us from the BOC, and twenty from SOS. The leaders were the excellent Brian Gibbs and David Dawe. The walk was up Hodder’s Combe, Somerton Combe, and up Stert Combe on the east side of the stream, coming out on the heathland, and retuning north, just to the west of Higher Hare Knap, we came down the ridge into the car park. Unfortunately, we were a bit early to hear or see Wood Warbler, but we did find Dipper, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Grey Wagtail, and coming out of the wood to the heath heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The heath gave us a Cuckoo to see also Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Redpoll and Yellowhammer. (Thanks to Brian and Dave.) Rob Hargreaves

Twenty or so people walked up over Wains Hill and along Poets’ Walk, stopping to examine the historic “Sugar lookout” and admire the bird’s-eye views south along the Clevedon coast. We noted a selection of standard woodland species, singing and displaying Whitethroats where the terrain opened out to grassland and scrub, and hirundines passing NE along the cliffs. The sluice produced Moorhens, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and good views of a Grey Wagtail. Walking on through the golf course to Dowlais pool we added two Canada Geese, two Mute Swans and a lingering Black-headed Gull. The shoreline held Shelducks, Oystercatchers, a Whimbrel and plenty of the larger gulls. Two more Whimbrels flew low along the coast, and later two Curlews – larger with longer bills, flying higher though rather distant. At the turnaround point there were at least five Swifts feeding over the Dowlais meadows. Also reported: Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, both woodpeckers, singing Skylarks, Reed Warblers, Blackcaps, Rock Pipits and Reed Buntings. The morning’s total was 51 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading) Jane Cumming

This visit to Portland was designed to coincide with peak Skua passage, but on a fine sunny day the only evidence of migration off the Bill was two Sandwich Terns flying east a long way out and a trickle of Swallows coming in off the sea. However, the more local seabirds put on a fine show with Gannets, Fulmars and Shags passing to-and-fro, Guillemots and Razorbills that could easily be separated by their colour in the bright sunshine, and a few Kittiwakes. The Observatory Quarry held the hoped-for Little Owl, Whitethroats were in good voice, and a couple of members who wandered further up to Culverwell found one of the singing Cirl Buntings that have recently been gracing Portland with their presence. The top fields at Southwell are useless these days, with extensive stables and a big camp site taking over the area where we used to find migrants moving up from the Bill. At Ferrybridge we found three Dunlins with a dozen Ringed Plovers, and at least 40 Little Terns resting on mud banks, a good indicator that the nesting colony on the beach must be doing well. Lodmoor produced a fine haul of new species for the day, including Reed Warbler, Cetti’s, Chiffchaffs and Lesser Whitethroats in song. Three Godwits were expected to be Black-tails at this freshwater site but after a bit of puzzling they proved to be Bar-tails, and another migrant was a Grey Plover in prime summer plumage. At least 15 Common Terns seemed to be struggling to find nesting room amongst the numerous and noisy Black-headed Gulls. We added Grey Heron, Little Egret and various waterbirds to our lists, and a search through the loafing gulls produced first-summer Mediterranean and Common Gulls. Five observers had an enjoyable day at the seaside and a total of 69 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading) Jane Cumming

On a dry and mild morning 25 members gathered in the car park where one early arrival had spotted a Grey Partridge. We set off through the meadow, to the first lake. There we stopped to watch the Mute Swans, Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe. A great splashing in the shallow water was later confirmed as a large pike! A male Bullfinch watched from a high tree, Grey Herons flew over, Chiffchaffs called from the bushes and Linnets were spotted on the far bank. Moving on, we walked to the reed beds where Reed Warblers were vocal, Linnets, Whitethroats and Blackcaps were also heard. Skylarks and Lesser Whitethroats were heard calling further along and a Garden Warbler, which was very exciting. At this point many of the group then stopped, determined to pinpoint the Garden Warbler, and a few managed to spot it though a Chiffchaff was trying to be heard louder. Walking on along the coastal path we went by the Power Station and turned inland passing more reed beds and scrub. Cetti’s Warblers were heard, with more Whitethroats, Goldfinches and Willow Warblers. Two Swallows flew over. We ended the walk at the orchard, where the feeders didn’t seem to have any takers this time. The many bird boxes in the orchard were commented on and hopefully some will be used this year. 50 species were recorded. (Thanks to Di for leading) Di Bunniss

This short walk became longer than planned when we found the road closed by BT at the railway bridge. Some people drove the long way round to access the entrance to Weston STW but most parked on the closed road and hiked through, adding a couple of kilometres to the walk. All 31 of us met up near the car park to compare notes so far. The advance party heard a Cuckoo but only six laggards reached the top of the dyke at the right moment to see two Redshanks and a Short-eared Owl. Bird song filled the air with Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Cetti’s Warblers, thrushes and finches competing to make the most noise, but the star was a Sedge Warbler which eventually gave great views as it sang from reeds and bushes; we heard Reed Warbler and Whitethroat as well. Long-tailed Tits and a pair of Bullfinches showed in the hedgerow, Reed Bunting around the marsh and Skylarks overhead. At the river we logged Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Little Grebes, a lone Lesser Blacked-Back Gull and two Grey Wagtails. On the return journey we watched Swallows drifting northwards, together with a House and three Sand Martins. The official total on this lovely spring morning was 44 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading)

Six members gathered at the entrance to Ashley Walk in the New Forest for this all day walk on a somewhat cloudy morning. A distant cuckoo set us off to a good start while others subsequently notified us of their presence by ‘cuckooing’ and occasionally showing well. Linnets, Goldfinch and several Blackcaps treated us to song while further down the valley Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers competed. A couple of Green Woodpeckers gave off powerful yaffles while towards the end a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across our path. Redstarts betrayed occasional presence with song and fleeting glimpses. Other songsters included Wren and Song Thrush, the latter sometimes sounding Nuthatch-like. Lunchtime was probably our peak moment. Sitting on a ridge overlooking extensive gorse bushes, we hoped to see one of our key species – Dartford Warbler. Sure enough one suddenly popped up giving us a brief display, unfortunately missed by one member. But alas, our other key species, Woodlark, failed to show any sign of its presence despite thoroughly searching the forest lawns. We walked along mostly gravel tracks, steep in places, down to the valley bottom where a quick splash saw us across the small burn, amidst greening trees. Ponies were all around but gave us no trouble. Alas, no adders on show today but a spectacular Brimstone butterfly did a fly past across a sunny glade. Then, just as we reached our cars, the first raindrops fell – we were very lucky for this lovely walk, sadly not enjoyed by more members. 37 species in total. (thanks to Jane for leading). Wendy Dickson