Field trip reports

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

Fourteen members met at the Shire Way entrance. It was sunny and dry, 21-25?C, with a light NE breeze. We crossed the railway bridge and walked through the orchard area, seeing many Meadow Brown butterflies and a Red Admiral. We crossed the main recreational area (Wapley Common) and through the uniformed groups area. In the Western Wood we heard Goldcrest amongst a group of conifers and a Song Thrush. We had coffee in the Upper Meadow where Bee Orchids were found amongst the Common Spotted. We walked through the semi-natural ancient woodland in a loop down and back up. A pair of Bullfinches were spotted in the woods, Treecreeper song heard, also Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming. Many Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard. A young Jay perched conveniently on a branch. Back in the Upper Meadow, we spotted some House Martins over distant trees. Two Ravens flew over. We crossed a wooden bridge into the Lower Meadow and walked diagonally down to the lower path where a Marbled White flew past. We spent some time enjoying the sight of a large dragonfly hunting flies. We then walked clockwise around the edge of the Lower Meadow, seeing a Small Copper and stopped for a picnic at the top. After lunch we walked back down by the woods past a large number of Common Spotted Orchids. We returned over the railway bridge and said our goodbyes. 30 bird species in total. (Thanks to Alan for leading). Alan Daniells

Twenty one members met outside the Crown, Churchill, on a fine, sunny morning with a bit of a breeze. As we set off a Greenfinch was heard. On our way to crossing the A38 the path descended through a wood we saw and heard Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. A short walk uphill to the Iron Age hillfort yielded a Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Willow Warbler. We took the southern route along the hillfort bank where a Raven flew overhead along with a Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. In the scrub to our left numerous Whitethroats could be heard. We had extensive views over the Mendip to Blackdown and the Bristol Channel. After a brief stop for refreshment we passed through woodland and scrub where both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker were seen. A male and female Stonechat obliged by sitting on top of a bush and also on the nearby fence as well as a Linnet nearby. Passing through a small conifer plantation we heard more Goldcrests and some saw a Treecreeper. Another Raven flew over as the path took us through thick scrub and emerged on to a grass track back to the hillfort dyke and the customary ‘Tuesday’ Buzzard appeared. On the descent back through Dolebury Bottom we saw House Martin and a Swift busy feeding as well as more Chaffinches, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Goldfinch on our way back to the cars. Thanks to Nick for compiling the bird list of 40 species. (Thanks to Mark for leading). Mark Watson

Three members met at the Frampton on Severn car park. Luckily the warm sun was keeping the chill of the NE wind at bay. We walked to Court Lake first, seeing Greylag and Barnacle geese in the meadow. On the lake there were Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan with four cygnets, Greylag with a gosling, Coot and Moorhen. Two Common Terns, a Buzzard, a few Swallows and a Kingfisher flew over the lake. A Cormorant was perching. Another member joined us and local birder Nick Goatman let us know about some Spotted Flycatchers, so we carried on clockwise around the lake and into the woods where we caught up with three Spotted Flycatchers amongst the Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler and Goldcrest also present. As we carried on toward the Sailing Lake, we saw increasing numbers of Swifts and at least ten Long-tailed Tits. By the Sailing Lake itself, Swift numbers increased to 25+, with a few Swallows and House Martins amongst them. There were dense clouds of midges but, luckily, not the biting kind. There were six Common Terns nesting on a platform in the lake. A Cuckoo sang, then flew by, then we started to see Hobby over the lake, one at first, then increasing finally to six. One of them perched and gave us a good view. A group of ten Little Egrets also flew by. 49 species in all. Thanks to Nick for leading the walk. Alan Daniells