Field trip reports

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

Arriving at Nagshead around 15:30, eleven of us braved the adverse conditions. We spotted House Martin, two Crows, a Chiffchaff and a dung/dor beetle and heard a Song Thrush. It was very wet, but though uncomfortable it did brighten the green of the forest. A brief patch of sun brought out a Chaffinch, Blackcap, Swallows and Goldfinch. At the second hide we saw a Robin, Mandarin Duck, Long-tailed and Great Tits, whilst learning how many species of insect oaks support and how hospitable marble galls are. Carrying on back through the woods we saw a number of Swallows overhead. Wood Pigeon flew across a pond as well as Wren and Grey Wagtail distinguished by the yellow underside. Beside Cannop Pond were Ringlet and Gatekeeper butterflies. The stoneworks car park seemed an unlikely place for sightings; however we saw Grey Wagtail, Siskin, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Nuthatch. On the Pond were Mandarins, a Mute Swan with two cygnets, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Little Grebe, five ducklings and many Moorhen and Coot, with Swifts and House Martins overhead. A Dipper was next to the stream, then we saw a family of Treecreepers chasing each other around a tree trunk. Back in the woods, we heard two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song Thrush, Jay and Dunnock. Starting about 20:30 we walked from Speech House car park up to Crabtree Hill and saw two Buzzard, one Tree Pipit and heard a Green Woodpecker. At dusk we heard a Nightjar. As we set off back to the car park we saw two birds chasing each other. By the squeaky calls, we determined these must be Woodcock. A bat detector yielded a recording of a Common Pipistrelle. We arrived back at the car park around 23:00. Many thanks to Robert for leading in such difficult conditions! Emily Fitzgerald

The threat of rain led to only 15 of us turning up, but, hey, the rain held off all morning for our lovely walk through some wonderful countryside. We sat enthralled at the first Old Fort high point with its 180 degree crisp clear view across the Severn Vale for our coffee stop and three Raven flew past. Birds noted up till then were House Martin, Swallow, Swift, c150 Rooks, Greenfinch, Buzzard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Treecreeper, Skylark, Kestrel, Pheasant, Jay and Yellowhammer amongst others. There was also a lovely showing of butterflies. As we walked towards the second Old Fort there were further extensive views of the Vale as well as the rolling hills of Wiltshire. When we ascended a tree-lined path many walkers broke off, leaving six of us to continue towards Old Sodbury Church where we ate our packed lunch with fantastic views towards Yate, the Severn and the Welsh Mountains. Refreshed we proceeded with the long walk back to our finishing point, spotting Chaffinch, Coal Tit and Goldfinch. 32 species were noted in total. (Thanks to Graham for leading this walk in place of Nick.) Graham Blacker

Despite the threatening weather 18 optimistic members arrived at Stockhill Woods. Before leaving the car park some eagle-eyed birders had spotted a small flock which included Goldcrest. We then set off over the Mineries in search of Tree Pipit which disappointingly never materialised. We passed two caving clubs (Shepton Mallet CC and the Bristol Exploration Club) and then headed slowly back passing Fair Lady Well. Slowly the bird count increased, a highlight being a parent Reed Warbler feeding its young. It was also great to see a family of Stonechats as well as Nuthatch and Siskin. We arrived back at the car park a little after noon and therefore spent some time in the woods. A total of 32 species were seen or heard including Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and a wonderful flypast by a Barn Owl. We are also able to identify a number of butterflies and moths. Thank you to Graham for a great morning without any noticeable rain. Beth Yates

After the excessive heat of mid-June, a good turn-out of 27 found the Wetlands car park a bit cloudy, cool and draughty, but this did not deter the inevitable Chiffchaff from serenading us. A Green Woodpecker was spotted as we headed from the picnic area towards the estuary, rapidly followed by a Whitethroat singing from an exposed perch. Cetti’s Warbler shouted at us, and Reed Bunting was seen and heard from a lowish perch – we learnt that their call can be described as “pink-pink-fizz”! As we approached the lighthouse, a Kestrel hovered, and we laughed at the tatty Mallards in their early eclipse plumage. Strangely (?) no Bearded Tit was seen, but after coffee we headed east above the salt-marsh where a Great White Egret flew overhead, and a young family of perhaps ten Pheasants ducked in and out of the scrub below. On the way back we were fascinated by a beautiful Vapourer Moth caterpillar. After a picnic at the visitor centre, many of us headed to Goldcliff and to the last hide where, among many waders, the star species was a Spotted Redshank in summer plumage. Back towards the road, another hide showed no fewer than 35 Little Egrets, and the best telescopes revealed both Little and Common Ringed Plovers. Just as we reached the cars, a Kingfisher flashed away, giving a total species count of 62 for the day (36 Wetlands, 49 Goldcliff). A great day enjoyed by all. Thanks to John Skinner on his excellent leadership. John Skinner

27 people met on a hot morning, After great debate over the sighting of a possible Whimbrel on the foreshore, it was finally decided it was an immature Curlew. Also along the shoreline were Black headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, two Lesser Black Backed Gulls with Shelducks and Crows all around. On the Lake were many Mallards, approximately 100 Canada Geese and a few Tufted Ducks. Above, giving good displays, were Swifts and House Martins. We pressed on to Battery Point to see Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird on the down and Rock Pipit on the rocky shore. We then walked through East Wood for Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Wren and Nuthatch. As we left the wood, a family of Blackcaps were seen, two juveniles and both parents. Unfortunately, nothing was to be seen on the mud at the Harbour entrance. Further on, a Pied Wagtail and Rock Pipits were seen on one of the boats in the harbour. Near the finish of the walk we had the excellent sight of five Swifts flying in and out of their nests in the eaves of one of the houses. Also seen Speckled Wood, Comma and Small White Butterflies. A total of 35 birds seen or heard. (Thanks to Geoff for leading). Geoff Harris