Field trip reports

22 members met in Hatters Lane on a damp, overcast morning with very little wind. In the trees along the road and footpath, before we crossed St Johns Way, we were treated to a mixed flock of tits and finches including Greenfinch, along with several Dunnocks. In Trinity Lane we saw more small birds including Chaffinch and House Sparrow and the first of many Redwings. Approaching The Windmill, there were seven Meadow Pipit and two Reed Bunting on wires. A large flock of c100 Redwing was flying between trees and the ground with a few Goldfinch and Fieldfare amongst them. Unusually, this turned out to be the busiest section of the walk. We continued on down into the main scrub area which was generally quiet, although we did manage to see a Kestrel and some more Goldfinch. After coffee we carried on toward the Little Owl tree (who was not at home), on the way spying a pair of Bullfinch flying past. They settled in a Hawthorn and fed on the buds. We watched them for some time, probably the highlight of the walk. Around 50 Herring Gull were circling overhead. We started our return, crossing the high open area toward Horton Road where Skylarks were seen fighting and displaying. Many of the same birds as before were seen along Trinity Lane and Hatters Lane, adding Long-tailed Tit and Song Thrush. 29 species seen or heard altogether. (Thanks to Alan for leading). Alan Daniells

On a dry bright day 30 members met in the car park near the golf course and were greeted by the lovely sound of singing Skylarks. (The parking charge is now £4 for 5 hours.) We took a circular four mile clockwise route through the Red Deer Park down to the Lodge and over to Clarken Coombe Lodge and Woods. Then back past Barn Wood and the edge of the golf course to the Miniature Railway and on to the car park. A total of 31 species were detected, some by sound only such as Blackcap, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch and Yellowhammer. There were however wonderful views of a Buzzard soaring above us. There were also sightings of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Raven. Of the smaller birds the most numerous was 19 Blue Tits but we also saw Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. Some had sightings of Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Goldcrest as well as Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Many thanks to Graham Blacker for leading a delightful morning enhanced by the flowering daffodils and crocus. Beth Yates

The annual coach trip to the Exe Estuary arrived at Dawlish Warren just after 10:00. After a pleasant close-up encounter with six Turnstones, a scan of the bay produced little with around twelve Great Crested Grebes and two Eider being the highlights. Walking the dunes alongside the golf course a small group of Skylarks fed on the ground next to 14 Oystercatchers. A Chiffchaff fed in the birch scrub surrounding a pool that supported four Shovelers, Teal and Water Rail. Three of our group managed a sighting of the reported Cirl Buntings while two others glimpsed a Dartford Warbler, naturally in Gorse scrub. Two Stonechats gave us good views as we returned to the coach. After clinching Kestrel and Treecreeper at Powderham, all 32 of us embarked upon a walk to Exminster Marshes taking in many wildfowl and waders as we went. Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank and Dunlin were numerous on the mud while Brent Goose and Lapwing spread themselves over the fields. At the canal lock a Ruff and a Greenshank were many people’s ‘bird of the day’ as were the eight Red-breasted Merganser on the receding tide. Here, from the Turf Hotel, Grey and Golden Plover, and Avocet made use of the expanding mud. The marshes were a bit quieter but c. 400 Brent Goose was a spectacle as a Marsh Harrier kept the ducks, which included Pintail, Shelduck and Wigeon, forever wary. In total we listed 73 species seen or heard. Thanks to Judy for organising and to Jane for leading. Mike Jackson

22 of us set off in glorious sunshine to walk the fields and brookside woodlands of Winterbourne’s western edge. The obliging Redwing seeing us off would be the first of more than 50 that we would eventually see. As Goldcrest, House Sparrow and Robin made themselves known we entered the first frosty field to see a small group of Meadow Pipit. With Herring Gull on the ground and a Lesser Black-backed Gull cruising by, we headed to St. Michaels Church, adding Fieldfare, Jay, Dunnock and two singing Skylark as we went. Coffee was taken at Monk’s Pool LNR under the gaze of a pylon-perched male Peregrine. A Kestrel then checked us out prior to gliding east, before the female Peregrine briefly alighted on the pylon before heading north. The male stayed to watch us on our way which led us to plenty of activity from enthusiastic Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two or three at a time drumming and calling. The adjacent Bradley Brook LNR gave us Long-tailed Tits, more woodpeckers, and another Goldcrest. We ticked Buzzard, Pied Wagtail, more winter thrush, and a Song Thrush. As we walked the last few fields we passed a large loose flock of Fieldfare, their plumage so well defined as if immaculately prepared for the oncoming breeding season. Thanks go to the group for providing such good company, to Alan for keeping the list of 34 species (and to Mike for leading). Mike Jackson

Six members met at Herriott’s Bridge on a dry, sunny, but chilly morning. The water was very high which seemed to have put off all the waders. At Herriott’s we saw Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Goldeneye, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Jackdaw, a Grey Heron, and a Grey Wagtail. One possible first year Mediterranean Gull was spotted on the pool. At Stratford Hide, we were surprised to see the area either side of the boardwalk completely flooded and the islands in front of the hide under water. From the hide we added Pochard to the list, heard a Cetti’s Warbler and possibly glimpsed it in the reeds. Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker were both heard. Moving onto the Moreton Hide we saw a Jay along the lane and around 100 Redwing in the fields. At the lake, we saw a Kingfisher. Raven were calling. A female Sparrowhawk was flying between trees and perching when we exited the hide. At Herons Green we spotted a female Smew and a Great Black-backed Gull as well as a Great White Egret, and a Little Egret on the pool. Some of us moved on to Villice Hide where we completed the list with Wigeon, a female Shoveler and a Goldcrest. 36 species in total (thanks to Alan for leading). Alan Daniells

39 members turned out for this new walk and were not disappointed! Starting at the farmhouse with an introduction about the site from Alastair, we first went to Watercress Wood where three Great Spotted Woodpeckers put on quite a display for us and loud drumming was heard too. On the bank of the nearby stream a Kingfisher nest hole was pointed out – a first for many of us. The early grey, drizzly morning turned into one of warm sunshine which helped identification for those of us who needed it. Along the hedgerows of the rough pasture fields were Stonechat and Yellowhammer, a distant Sparrowhawk and the first of many Skylark were heard and then seen. Moving up on the bridleway towards the railway, Fieldfare and Redwing were spotted in nearby pasture. As we continued around the site, we spent some time looking at a re-wilded field and its borders with an astounding estimate of 1000 Chaffinches plus Linnet and Yellowhammer and more Skylarks above. A large flock of Stock Doves were observed and a hunting Kestrel and then, at a field uncultivated for at least three years, more Stonechats, Song Thrush and a Buzzard. Near our finish there was still more to come with parties of Siskin and Long-tailed Tits feeding close by and a Kingfisher bringing the total of species seen to 32. Many thanks to Alastair for a superb morning and introducing us to a wonderful place. Nancy Barrett

Shortly after leaving Tanners Lane, our attention was drawn to a string of birds on telegraph wires. Scope views confirmed them as a mix of Starlings and Corn Buntings. A small flock of Common Gulls flew past, and a Stonechat was found perched on a stone wall. The horses’ field held a good number of Fieldfare (we counted over 125 during the course of our walk). A pair of Yellowhammers and several more Corn Buntings were found in the hedgerows and some Skylark flew overhead. Looking across the valley over Rushmead Lane, two perched raptors were seen simultaneously. The first was a female Kestrel on a wire (rather distant), the second was a splendid Red Kite sitting on a post. A flock of 250 Lapwings was also seen flying over the fields.Rushmead Lane was initially disappointing although a pair of Red-legged Partridge was spotted at the far side of the field. Walking to the end of the road, we identified a Stock Dove and a flock of finches (probably Linnets) together with more Yellowhammers. The walk back along the road was relatively uneventful although we enjoyed the sight of four Roe Deer across the valley and three Buzzards wheeling overhead. 34 species seen. Thanks to Sue and Nigel for leading Peter Bryant

28 people met on a below freezing bright day. We started with Magpie, many Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and two Buzzards at a distance, one being very pale. Along Clevedon Lane Chaffinch, many Blue and Great Tits, Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tits were seen with Ravens overhead. Heading across the valley Bullfinch were noted, then just before coffee two to three pairs of Stonechat and a Fieldfare. A Mute Swan flew over, and then we were treated to a flight of Lapwings approximately 20, plus three Curlews and four Snipe erupting from the ground. A large mixed flock of Crows, Jackdaws and a lone Rook were seen. Finally, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtails and House Sparrows. A total of 25 species seen or heard. (Thanks to Geoff for leading) Geoff Harris

A very cold but bright sunny day gave us so much birdlife with clear views starting on the Shapwick reserve before crossing to the RSPB Ham Wall reserve. On Shapwick there were many duck including numerous Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, some Tufted Duck, Coot and more! Of particular note was the male American Wigeon, showing its eye-catching green “cheek” and continuing to reside with the many other smaller Eurasian Wigeon viewed from the Tower Hide area. Our first Marsh Harrier flew low, its cream head catching the sun as it quartered the reed beds, with its distinctive profile and large slow wing beats. We heard Cetti’s Warbler in both areas and on walking to Ham Wall we saw a darting Kingfisher and heard a squealing Water Rail in contrast to the hollow whistle of a Bullfinch. There was also a Reed Bunting and Lesser Redpoll, several Snipe and a pair of Stonechats. It was interesting to compare the size of a little Egret almost alongside a Great White Egret and a nearby Grey Heron. Also seen were Canada Geese and Mute Swan. A large flock of Lapwings rose to the sky in response to another Marsh Harrier approaching. The trees and shrubs housed a wide variety of smaller birds including a large number of Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinches and a single Siskin. A flying Bittern was a treat for some, before the spectacle of an excellent murmuration of Starlings displaying against a beautiful orange sunset. A large number “swished” back and forth before dropping down to chatter and find their “pecking order” in the reeds for the night. There were 36 species and 28 walkers. Several members only joined us later, in time to enjoy the theatre of the Starlings. Thanks to Mark for leading. Sue Watson

We started the walk from Wains Hill and headed towards The Pill where scoping produced a Curlew, two Common Gulls and an Oystercatcher. Three Rock Pipits and a Stonechat were seen well. We continued to the Blind Yeo and walked up to Lower Strode Road adding a Little Egret and a few common passerines on the way. Two Goosander were seen briefly before they disappeared around the corner. Shelter was in short supply as a squall hit us with torrential rain for a short period as we headed to a very flooded Dowlais. Here there were small groups of Shelduck and Lapwing but the highlight was two Peregrines stood in the middle of a flooded field (this increased to three Peregrines on the way back!). The Peregrines appeared to be an adult male and female along with a juvenile bird so perhaps one of last year’s young still hanging around. At the Kenn there were around 80 Redshank along with 35 Curlew and some Wigeon and Teal. Heading back to Clevedon there were half a dozen Turnstone on Blackstone rocks and twelve Goosander had appeared in the Pill which were enjoyed by all. Thanks to the twelve members who joined me. (Thanks to Jason for leading) Jason Williams