Field trip reports

The sky was overcast as 16 of us assembled on the reservoir bank to start our walk. On the water were large numbers of Coot, along with Canada Geese, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe. Gulls seen were Black-headed, Herring, and Lesser Black-backed. As we walked along the bank skeins of Canada Geese flew in to join those already on the water. The forecast rain came down quite heavily for about 30 minutes as we left the reservoir and went down the bank to the drove leading us to the Axe. On the way we saw or heard Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Magpie and at the Axe a Buzzard in a distant hedgerow tree. On the way back to Axbridge a Sparrowhawk was being chased by a Raven and two Carrion Crows. Suddenly the Sparrowhawk stooped spectacularly into some Swallows below, leaving the Raven and Crow high above. On this occasion the Sparrowhawk did not get its target. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker were seen as well as Linnets, Goldfinch and a Treecreeper. Back on the Reservoir a few Cormorant perched on buoys and numerous Pied Wagtail foraged on the slope down to the water. We saw 36 species (thanks to Alan Daniells for keeping a list) and arrived back at the car park more or less dry. (Thanks to Mark for leading). Mark Watson

Eleven of us met for a morning walk of the common, but before we got there we spied three warblers feeding on sweet peas in an allotment. Two Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler we decided, although it could have gone the other way such are the similarities of this tricky duo! Birds were notably absent as we followed the fruit laden hedgerow onto the common but a Chaffinch showed, and a Kestrel perched atop a distant bush, while Sparrowhawk and Buzzard soared above us. Eventually we caught up with some target species; at least two Spotted Flycatchers hunted from some dead branches above Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat and Redstart which remained much more skulking. It was easy to locate a couple of flyover Skylarks, and a Raven honked unseen. The temperature was now uncomfortably hot, and with no shade or breeze two or three members decided to leave. Two Whitethroats arrived at another hedgerow at our walk mid-point but from now on only Redstarts seemed to have the energy to show themselves as we walked on in a temperature of 28°C. We recorded at least eight Redstarts and probably heard a couple more, definitely the star bird of the day. Thanks go to Alan for keeping the score (he had seen a Whinchat on his way to meet us pre-walk start time) and thanks to the group for being so patient. (Thanks to Mike for leading.) Mike Jackson

15 members met at Puxton Church of the Holy Saviour on a glorious sunny day. We wandered through the grounds of the 13th century church where one Goldfinch was spotted. We proceeded through to Puxton Lane and across Puxton Moor Nature Reserve. En route we saw two Collared Doves, over 30 Starlings perched on the telegraph wires, about nine Swallows in different places, one Long-tailed Tit, one Swan and one Cormorant flew overhead, and one Robin(heard, not spotted), as well as many Magpies and Crows in the fields. Some of the group saw two Stonechats. Goldfinches, approximately 50, were feeding on the thistle seed in the fields too. Further on we heard a very loud Cetti’s Warbler, two Buzzards were spotted in the distance, and a Green Woodpecker in the lanes. Later we heard and saw two Buzzards fly overhead. We headed down along Oldbridge River where we encountered at least five Mute Swans, including a family with one adolescent cygnet. On the way back at least five Long-tailed Tits flew across our path into the nearby trees and there were two Herons, two Kestrel (not together), one Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Coot and two Moorhens, one Great Tit, two Mallards, House Sparrows, House Martins and Jackdaws. Dragonflies accompanied us throughout our walk. Thanks to Colin for leading us in this very interesting and enjoyable walk. Alison Hooper

The weather seemed fair and the walk started with a perched Kestrel and fly-past Marsh Harrier. Three Stonechats were perched on a gate and a pair of Chiffchaffs were flitting in the nearby hedgerow. For most of the morning, there were over a hundred hirundines in flight, mostly House Martins but with a few Swallow. At Curlew Hide, overlooking Monks Lagoon, we initially only saw a half dozen Greylag Geese. but soon we were picking out waders, including Ringed Plovers by the dozen and four smart Ruff. The Lagoon held seven Little Egrets. As we were past high tide, we decided to head round to the Avocet Hide which had a view of both Priors Lagoon and Becs Lagoon. Highlights here included four Snipe, several Redshank, ten each of Knot and Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Greenshank, an Avocet and a Great White Egret. Six Little Grebe were on Priors Lagoon. The ducks included Shoveler, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Teal. As we were preparing to leave the hide, a Kestrel flew across joined by a Sparrowhawk – a good chance to see the different flight patterns of these birds of prey side by side. The beach, viewed from the seawall, eventually produced 180 Curlew and an Oystercatcher. From the Lapwing viewing platform, we had a good view out to the recently cut hay fields and some birds sitting on the hay bales attracted our attention. A few were Meadow Pipits but most were Yellow Wagtails, over twenty in all. 62 species seen with a good variety of waders and other passage migrants. (Thanks to Peter for leading.) Peter Bryant

On a cool, overcast day, with some very light misty showers, 26 birders started on the Frome Valley Walkway from the White Horse Inn, after a look from the stone bridge where a Grey Wagtail was seen in the river. At Moorend, 16 Mallards and a Moorhen were swimming in the river. The garden feeders there attracted Blue Tits and a Chaffinch. Soon Great Tits, Coal Tits and a Long-tailed Tit were added. A Swallow and 33 House Martins flew above the houses. The walk along the lane and up through the woods produced two calling Stock Doves, two Jays, a Bullfinch, four Goldfinches, three Goldcrests, and two Treecreepers. A Chiffchaff was also seen and heard. Some lucky people saw a Kingfisher flash past at the coffee stop by Damsons Bridge. Despite careful looking from all the bridges, no Dippers were seen this time, but a Grey Heron was striding through a field. The final fields were mostly quiet except for Robin, Wren and Woodpigeon. The only bird of prey for the day was a Buzzard. 28 species were seen. (Thanks to Kate and Joyce for leading). Kate Cashmore

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