Field trip reports

The weather was cloudy at the start and the rain held off until around midday. This was a combined BOC andYoung Persons field trip in conjunction with Tish from Avon Wildlife Trust. We were delighted to welcome sixyounger persons to join with a few BOC regulars. We started from the entrance on Thingwall Park and scanned the trees and bushes on the way into the park where we saw a single Redwing. There were also singing Song Thrush as we headed to the lake. One of the highlights was to see seven Great Spotted Woodpeckers with close views of them drumming on a large Oak tree. At the lake we had good views of Kingfisher, and it was lovely to see a female Tawny Owl roosting in her nest box. We then headed up a small hill and had excellent views of Goldcrest and a single Firecrest. The rain started to get heavier, so we walked up the river and saw Grey Wagtail and heard Green Woodpecker before returning to where we started. 41 species were seen or heard, and it was good to see the younger persons p icking up some species with their superior vision and hearing! Thanks to Rich for leading and Tish for organising some of the younger contingent. Robin Martin

Our group of 13 birders set out from the car park at Tortworth under skies that seemed less than promising. It was the first time since 2004 that we’d taken this route! Although the weather was milder than usual, heavy clouds threatened rain; fortunately, we only experienced a brief light shower. Despite the conditions, our efforts were rewarded with an impressive list of birds. Winter thrushes were abundant, with multiple flocks of Fieldfares estimated to number over a hundred. Their distinctive “chacker chack chack” calls rang out clearly. Redwings were also present in large numbers, seen hopping among the trees and flying between them. We spotted several Stock Doves in flight—noticeably more direct than Woodpigeon, lacking white markings and sporting dark fringes on their wings. Following our refreshment break along the Little Avon river, we observed a remarkable flock of around 30 Siskins feeding high in an Alder tree by the riverbank. Even more exciting, they were joined by another group of about ten, making it easily the largest gathering of Siskin I have ever witnessed. Birds of prey were scarce, with just a single Buzzard sighted, but our total species count reached 32 – surpassing most expectations at the start. Thank you to Alan for tracking the bird count and to Graham for leading our walk. Graham Bennett

On a day with rain and low visibility seventeen members were met at the RSPB West Sedgemoor Centre by two of the volunteer wardens, Nigel and Elaine Smith. Nigel explained the history and context of the site including its conversion from a proposed carrot farm in the 1970’s into a reserve. This was met with opposition from the local landowners, which unfortunately, continues today albeit to a lesser extent. This is the reason why West Sedgemoor is ‘tours-by-groups’ only and the motive behind the RSPB creating Greylake reserve which is accessed directly off the main road. Following this, we walked the half mile to the former carrot barn which had the hide/viewing platform built into the top left-hand corner. On our way a number of winter thrushes were seen as well as the first of our Marsh Harriers and Cranes were heard calling. Despite the poor visibility the viewing platform afforded us good views of the large number of wildfowl and waders using the reserve as well as two pairs of Cranes, at least two more Marsh Harriers and Roe Deer. There was also an owl box in the barn that was used as a roost by Barn Owls. Nigel opened a pellet and showed us the skulls of voles that had been taken as prey. A number of members were allowed to take pellets home for further analysis. Unfortunately, the poor weather put paid to any ideas of Starling murmurations at Ham Wall but 24 species were seen including c.14,000 Lapwing. Thanks to Gareth for leading and Nigel and Elaine for their expert local knowledge. Jon Angell

Ten dedicated members participated on this lovely walk on a sunny yet chilly morning. After circumnavigating the closed cinema, the group proceeded into the discreet yet attractive Hengrove Mounds, where sightings included several Redwings, a Song Thrush, and two Goldfinches. The Bagot goats were also observed, notable for their distinctive eyes. Upon returning to our vehicles, an eventful drive followed (including two members becoming temporarily lost) to Manor Woods. Here, frost on the ground reduced the muddiness, though surfaces remained slippery. Notable observations at this location included two prominent Jay, a brief sighting of a Nuthatch, additional Redwings, and excellent views of a Raven perched in a tree, vocalising before departing. A smaller contingent of five members then visited Crox Bottom, a rarely frequented site where we followed the aptly named Pigeon-house Stream. Additional species recorded in this area included Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, and Dunnock. 29 species were recorded at the three sites. Thanks to Alan for keeping count (and to Tim for leading). Tim Snowdon

Thirty to thirty-five of us came to the New Year’s Day Slimbridge walk. It was a very cold dry sunny day. Everyone went off in different directions and walks. This was my account of the day: Firstly, a group of us walked on the Estuary Path towards the hides looking over the wetlands where Teal, Pintail and Lapwings were in plenty along with three Curlews and a couple of Redshanks. At the Willow Hide were more Teal, Moorhen, and a variety of small birds on the feeders. Firecrest had been spotted at the Decoy hide where there were fabulous views of two flitting about in the Elder trees. At the Zeiss Hide and Kingfisher Hide were Kingfisher, Crane, and a Bittern camouflaged in the reeds. Here some more BOC members re-joined. Five of us went to the cafe for a needed hot drink and food. I did another loop of the wetlands and asked other members what they had seen. Teresa had seen a rare glimpse of a Water Rail, Olwen reported a Grey Heron swallowing a rat whole. Fieldfare, Redwing, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were also spotted, as well as a Peregrine that flew over the wetlands and swooped down as the sky immediately filled with 1,000 frightened birds, spectacular to see. I was also drawn to the one American Green Winged Teal in amongst 500 Northen Teal. I’m sure I can say on behalf of everyone a great day was had. Thanks to Di and Graham for leading.Caron Thornton-Trippit

Eighteen keen birders with their various optical paraphernalia met at Snuff Mills car park. It was a gloomy but dry and mild day. We carefully ascended the semi-treacherous path above the river Frome valley, passing the UWE Glenside Campus on the site of the old Glenside Mental Hospital. We quietly passed this, unspotted, towards the Oldbury Estate. Most birds were either hunkered down out of sight or only seen as silhouettes high in the trees. More were heard than seen, and the high pitched sounds of Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests were prominent. There were also several Grey Squirrel dreys and a leucistic Crow among other corvids and various gulls. We passed and admired the work of the College Road allotmenteers before stopping for coffee by a well sculpted tree stump in an old arboretum of specimen trees on the Oldbury estate. We then headed down to Frenchay Bridge to return along the River Frome. Here we passed the weir in spate and enjoyed the beauty of a Kingfisher which repeatedly fished and followed us most of the way back. There was also a Grey Heron, Moorhen and some Mallard. Our final treat was a good view of two busy Treecreepers across the river. A most enjoyable morning. Thanks to Graham and Caron for their leadership and everyone for their company and shared expertise. Bill Alexander

Forty-one members met at The Riverside pub car park on a mostly cloudy, but dry, day. One of many Song Thrushes we heard was singing but could not be seen. A band of Goldfinches was flitting between the trees which were also visited by many Redwings. In a field across the river was a flock of Common and Black-headed Gulls. A Kingfisher made a brief appearance darting across the river towards us and into cover. A cormorant flew down sharply to the river and immediately dived. We then moved on towards the Avon Farm Estate. At the coffee stop a Kestrel hovered over the water treatment works. Back at the river, a Red Kite flew over us and climbed high. The weir had almost disappeared under the flow of water and the riverside moorings were flooded, but this didn’t deter two Moorhens going about their business. As we walked back along the Avon the sun came out and we had second scan for the Little Owl. A Coal Tit was seen first and then, at the far end of the rock face, there was the Little Owl sunning itself on a ledge. Back at the Riverside for Christmas lunch a Heron was spied to take the species count to 40. Many thanks to Robert for leading the walk.Steve Clarke

This walk was also a BOC young person’s walk, in conjunction with the Avon Wildlife Trust. It was lovely to see so many young and enthusiastic birders come along and view the birds at the lake. Twenty-seven of us set off from Woodford Lodge along the trail to the dam. Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Jay, Redwing and Mistle Thrush were the highlights. We then spotted Goosander out on the lake. At the dam there were Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail and several Meadow Pipits feeding in the channel as well as a nice comparison between Common and Black-headed Gull. We then scoped the lake from Woodford which gave us Little and Great White Egret, Teal and Wigeon. We noted the lake was much fuller due to recent rain. Moving onto Herons Green we saw Goldeneye, and some of the party then went to Herriots and saw a Mediterranean Gull. A lovely morning with lots of keen eyes and a real thirst for learning, we saw 58 species. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Page

Nine of us turned up in defiance of the forecast and set off along Sandy Lane. Not a single bird was seen or heard for the first half mile or so, before a couple of distant Crows and a Woodpigeon, then sounds of Blackbird, Robin and Blue Tit were noted. Soon after crossing Markham Brook we joined a stony track into East Tanpit Wood. Calls of Great Tit and Nuthatch were somehow filtered out of the wind noise but sightings remained elusive. At the top of this track reward finally came in the form of four Redwings in the trees immediately above us. Our leader decided to avoid a well-known mud slide and the diversion took us down to a small pond, an ideal coffee stop. Emerging into more open country, we saw a Greenfinch and heard Goldfinches overhead. From the edge of a field of horses the twitter of Pied Wagtail was picked up and 40+ Starlings lined up on wires some way off. Another Pied Wagtail bounced across the adjoining sheep field and a Skylark ascended. By now we were quite keen to get out of Upper and back to Lower Failand. The rain was a bit less persistent than expected but the wind never let up. The species count of 16 doesn’t do justice to this very enjoyable and normally much more productive walk. Many thanks to Alan for leading and finding the best possible way round.Colin Hawkins

The meeting point for twelve of us was Station Road. We then walked over the footbridge to Sheepway. We peered over the bridge at the Portishead railway line, noting that the old rails have now been taken up – looks like progress. Once off the road we passed a distant field of corvids, pronounced by Alan with his faithful scope to be mostly Rooks (50) with a few Jackdaws. Crows were around too, high on trees, but in small numbers. Redwings and tits showed spasmodically, and a Kestrel appeared. Once out on the sea wall, sharp eyes spotted a line of Canada Geese (27) among the reeds bordering Royal Portbury Dock, and some Shelducks flew over the marsh. From the hides overlooking the North pool we could see 30 Wigeon clustered on the end of the island, some Shovelers at the back of the pool, a couple of Lapwing, and a solitary Little Grebe on the right hand channel. At the South hide the low winter sun brought out the colours and four sleek Roe Deer were seen quite close, blending in beautifully with the reeds. We lacked Snipe (maybe too wet?) but there were two pairs of Gadwall close to the bank. Walking back along the road we admired (!) a group of House Sparrows perched in the sunshine. Very many thanks to Alan for the count and the route/hiking information – 43 species. Judy Copeland