Field trip reports

On a lovely spring day eight members set off from the car park for a five mile picnic walk in a pleasant slightly overcast 17 degrees C with hardly any breeze. From the car park Swifts and Swallows were seen high above us. Very soon we walked by a paddock field with a couple of horses in it but also containing three splendid Mistle Thrushes seemingly unconcerned by our presence .Skirting the golf course we descended into the beautiful village to reach the Bybrook where a grey wagtail was busy feeding among the rocks and pebbles. A gradual ascent on the Macmillan Way parallel to the stream produced views of flocks of corvids and a couple of buzzards while we had a coffee break. Notable throughout this walk was the high number of singing Blackcaps, Robins, Blackbirds and Wrens almost everywhere we went which added to the atmosphere and enjoyment of the splendid scenery. Diverting from the list of birds was the discovery of the tiny and beautiful Green Hairstreak butterfly which some of us had not seen or heard of before! After a picnic stop in bright sunshine more birds were heard than seen except for a Raven flying overhead. We ascended to more inhabited and farmed countryside continually adding to the variety of species we had seen including Heron and Coot on the ponds and Dunnock and Goldfinch in the hedges. Just before the end of the walk a Yellowhammer was heard and briefly seen to bring the total species seen or heard to a respectable 43. Thanks to Geoff for leading this great walk. Neil Davies

Fourteen of us met in the car park on a lovely morning, with Red Kites flying over, and set off to Shapwick to try to see the Purple Heron. No luck then, though many did connect at the end of the club walk. Shapwick and Ham Wall are alive with birds and dragonflies in the spring and give a good opportunity to learn the different bird songs. Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler sang near the car park and a swimming Grass Snake gave good views too. Great White Egrets and many other water birds were present as always, including Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard and young Great Crested Grebe. Waders included Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank. We heard several Bittern booming with two showing on a few  occasions. Marsh Harriers and a Hobby gave good views and a  Cuckoo was heard but not seen. Thanks to everyone for coming along, we saw or heard around 60 species on the day. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Page

Twenty of us, including twelve young people from seven families, met at Woodford to walk down the path to the dam. A combination of young eyes and ears, and experienced birdwatchers made for a productive and enjoyable morning. Chiffchaff and Blackcap (twelve) were in good voice, and some of the group heard a Garden Warbler. Nearer the lake three Cetti’s Warblers were heard and seen, and Reed Warblers were heard. A lucky few had good views of a male Bullfinch. A Coal Tit was heard and then seen in an oak tree, and on the return a keen-eyed young walker spotted a Treecreeper giving superb views. A Canada Goose family with five goslings were on the water. Moving on to Herriotts Bridge, a Whimbrel was standing next to an Oystercatcher, giving a useful size comparison. Nearby were Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. Two Great White Egret and three Grey Heron, together with Shelduck, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot were in the pool. There were four species of gull. Two Red Kite flew over, as did House Martins and Swallows. On the lake side there were 28 Great Crested Grebes in the distance, and Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting closer by. Species total for the morning was 49, (27 at Woodford). The young people were enthusiastic, and we plan to hold more events for young people and families in the autumn. Thanks to Robin for leading. Gareth Roberts

Thirty members met at the RSPB car park on a perfect evening, the numbers being a testament to the allure of the Nightingale. In common with the picture in the rest of England, the number of singing males here has fallen from 20 in 2001, to only two in each of the last three years. The RSPB has been working hard to maintain the coppice habitat, and in recent years to promote a dense scrub understorey in cleared areas. This has proved popular with Willow Warblers, and we heard one as we went round the nature trail. This year there were more singing Blackbirds, 16, than Song Thrush, twelve. Robin, Blackcap, and Chiffchaff completed the early soundscape. At about 20:25 we arrived at the territory of the first Nightingale, and to our delight he was singing close by. The same bird had been heard, and photographed, by a member at 09:30 that morning. We listened with rapt attention for half an hour. The second bird was quiet. Research suggests that all Nightingales breeding in England come from a relatively restricted area around The Gambia. Southern European Nightingales come from a much larger area, centered on Ghana. Habitat loss in their non-breeding range may be as important to their story as habitat loss in England. See www.bto.org and search for Nightingale connectivity. (Thanks to RSPB Gloucester for access to the car park, to Alan Daniells for the list (17 species), and to Gareth for leading). Gareth Roberts 

Sixteen members met on a cool but fine morning. At the Centre we were treated to a Little Grebe in fine breeding plumage with four ‘punky’ chicks. Soon after, we heard our first Reed and Sedge Warblers of the day, and commented on the large number of Whitethroats. A Reed Bunting was seen, and a Cetti’s Warbler photographed. A Little Owl had been promised, but at the designated point there was no owl, and eventually most of us moved on, only to be called back – an owl had just flown in and was visible on a bare  branch. After this, having walked through a pleasant wood filled with Blackcap song and a distant Cuckoo, we reached the hide, from where not much was on view at first, but then a few birds appeared, culminating in some lucky people spotting a Bittern landing and disappearing into the reeds. No Bearded Tits were seen, but 35 species were recorded (thanks to Alastair for the list). After lunch some went onto Goldcliff. A Little Stint was spotted close to a Ringed Plover and some Canada goslings. Distant Ruffs gave issues with identification. From a viewing platform a Spoonbill was seen. At the seawall, Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit were noted. From the third hide, there were Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, and a pair of Garganey. After most had left for home the expected Pink-footed Goose appeared, giving 39 species in the afternoon. Species total for the day was 62. (Thanks to John for leading). Lou Skinner

On a glorious warm, sunny morning, 35 members met at New Passage. The high tide had covered all the mud and spilled onto the pill side banks so we found Oystercatchers, Whimbrels and two Common Sandpipers pottering about in the grass waiting for the beach to reappear. At the pools the first wader to be found was a Little Ringed Plover, there were half a dozen Common Ringed Plovers on the distant pools. Waterfowl included two Greylag Geese, two Mute Swans, a Shoveler, three Tufted Ducks and plenty of Mallard and Gadwall with a couple of Teal, sharing the pools with Dabchicks, Coots, Moorhens, Grey Herons and four Little Egrets. It was a treat to watch ten Avocets feeding and squabbling amongst a scattering of Lapwings, three Black-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin or two. From the path around the side of the pools a Redshank and a Greenshank were found. Hirundines swooped over from time to time, the House Martins dropping down to collect mud for their nests. Sedge and Reed Warblers sang and eventually showed well. Back at the beach-side corner as the tide fell, five Godwits were identified as Bar-tailed when they started to preen and flap their wings, a species which was recorded at watch points up and down the Severn that day, but is occasional enough on our shorelines always to be a pleasant surprise. The day total reached 68 species, which is apparently a new record for Tuesday walks. (Thanks to Jane for leading).  Jane Cumming

An early start was rewarded by a lovely walk in the New Forest, led by Jane over heathland and woods on a warm spring day. The first patch of woodland proved as reliable as usual for Redstarts and Willow Warblers. Highlights included a Dartford Warbler, a Cuckoo giving great views, Buzzard, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Marsh Tit, Jay and Treecreeper. Another good record was a Firecrest, first identified by the Merlin App then we all managed to get a glimpse at least of its striking head markings. After fording a woodland stream with only one wet foot amongst eleven people, we headed for a raised vantage point for lunch. There were wonderful views all around including a small pond and Fritham Woods where apparently Honey Buzzards can be found later in the spring. After half an hour we headed back towards the car park. saw a lovely pair of Linnets with the male showing off the red marking on his chest very clearly. The species total was 39. Thank you to Jane, and to Alastair for the bird list, and to Chairman Rob for the photos on WhatsApp. Nick Jobson Wicks

Despite the bright sunshine, the 24 walkers who set out from Hanham Mills were grateful to get into Bickley Wood and out of the sharp wind. The bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic were appreciated as well as a field of cowslips when we emerged from the woods. Many Orange Tip butterflies were seen. The four mile woodland and riverside walk revealed 35 bird species including, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, (the latter disappeared into a hole in a tree but didn’t reappear) Stock Dove, Swallow, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song and Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, ten tiny Mallard chicks and 17 Grey Herons in the Heronry. Much to some walkers’ consternation, a heron chick fell from its nest but as there was no movement as it fell, it was assumed to be dead. A Carrion Crow was quick to ensure that that was the case. Just as we were ending the walk, as rain threatened, some witnessed a heron catch a sizable fish. The lack of any rain recently meant that the walk was dry underfoot and the Avon very low. (Thanks to the leaders). Karen Birmingham 

To celebrate the 1,500th Tuesday walk, we enjoyed a very interesting and informative three hours, when 45 members visited the Chew Valley Lake Ringing Station. We met, and spent time both before and after, at Herriotts Bridge, where there was a wide variety of birds seen, including Little Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Bittern, Pintail, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier and Little Egret. At the ringing station we were shown what is done by the volunteer staff, who are BTO trained and licensed. We were fascinated to see how the individual birds are looked at in detail, all their biometrics recorded and then sent to the National Database. This includes their weight, length and condition of wings and feathers, age, sex, whether showing any signs of ongoing moult and crucially noting the number on their ring and if it is a replacement or a first ring. We observed a number of small birds being processed, including Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Song Thrush and Blackcap. Each carried an aluminium alloy ring before release. A number were already ringed. The ringing is done throughout the summer, weather permitting, enabling the station to be classed as “a Constant Effort Site”, and 2-3,000 birds are processed annually here. A splendid celebration cake, iced with the BOC logo was provided by Graham. Many thanks to Chris Craig and the expert volunteers for hosting us, and to Graham for leading.  Species total was 43.   Sue Watson

Seven families, with nine young people, joined the first BOC family walk, held at Watercress Farm rewilding project, Wraxall. We visited a range of habitats on the site and were rewarded by listing 35 species. Blackcap, Whitethroat, and Goldfinch songs were heard, and checked with the Merlin app. Green Woodpecker called loudly, and two were seen on a field disturbed by the pigs. Two Little Egrets were seen on the new wetland. Other highlights were Stonechat, Yellowhammer, and Great Tits with nesting material. Recently arrived Swallows and House Martins flew over, and Skylarks were singing. Five Roe Deer were seen, and Slow Worms under the corrugated refuges caused much excitement. The response to the walk was positive, and we have a second session planned for May. Thanks to Robin for leading. Gareth Roberts