Field trip reports

The eleven members who gathered on this hot and sunny morning were a good mix of new birders and old wader hands.  We set off past the Land Yeo where a Moorhen fussed over her two chicks and on to the edge of the Pill where the tide, barely halfway up, still exposed a wide expanse of creeks and salt marsh.  We spent some time scanning through Herring and Black-headed Gulls, picking out an Oystercatcher, a couple of Curlews, a Common Sandpiper and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A couple of members spotted a Kingfisher shooting away up a creek.  On round to the sluice where the creeks were full of Mallard and the Blind Yeo produced two more Moorhens.  On the shoreline again, we settled onto a block of concrete to scan the long offshore line of Blackstone Rocks, shrinking rapidly as the tide rose but still holding a Grey Heron, two Little Egrets, plenty of Oystercatchers and Curlews and half a dozen Turnstones.  A flock of small waders dropped onto the shore, giving us great views of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, and took off again just as a Sparrowhawk shot past low over the grass.  Strolling on south, we practised our ID skills on bird silhouettes along the fence line in the harsh sunlight.  Most proved to be Linnets but we were delighted to find a foraging Whinchat.  Sharp-eared John twice heard a Yellow Wagtail calling in flight but we were unable to locate it.  Dowlais Pool was completely dry and the litoral was fairly birdless until we reached the two farm gates overlooking the River Kenn with the tide now full.  We spent the rest of our time scanning the roost which produced 32 mostly adult Shelducks, another 65 Mallard, 28 Oystercatchers, three Whimbrel, amongst 43 Curlew, 115 Redshanks, a Ringed Plover (and John claims a Little Ringed Plover that promptly slipped out of sight).  A Peregrine dived through, scattering the waders before climbing off high over the sea.  As the tide started to fall, people began to drift back to Clevedon, but the last three diehards found 13 Ringed Plovers roosting quietly on the first bit of exposed mud, a Pied Wagtail back at the Pill, and 20 Swallows on telegraph wires in Clevedon.  My particular thanks to John Lewis for list-keeping (total: 34 species) and to all who carried telescopes all the way down to the roost and shared them for a good look at the waders.  (Thanks to Jane for leading.) Jane Cumming

Phew! It was hot, so much so that Jane decided to change the route whereby we walked through the woods rather than over Wains Hill and we were very grateful. First bird spotted was a Great Black-backed Gull on the swimming lake.  Walking through the woods we spotted a mixed flock of Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits, plus Chiffchaff. Approaching the coastal path a soaring Peregrine was spotted by most of the 13 of us, lucky for some! As we proceeded along the path not a lot was seen until we reached the Pill where we had many Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed gulls, two Common Sandpipers, Shelduck, Little Egret, lots of Mallards, plus Meadow Pipit and House Martin. We were hoping for Redshank but they remained elusive.  Little was seen on reaching the sluice apart from a couple of Moorhens. On the return leg we noticed a couple of Swallows on overhead wires and heard a Coal Tit in the trees beside the lovely church of St Andrew. After spotting 27 species we returned to the cars after a very enjoyable walk which was very well led by Jane Graham Blacker

A slightly earlier start than usual saw three members join the leader on a warm sunny morning. Activity at the Lake had been quiet for some time and expectations were not high. The water level was low so many of the water birds were distant. Despite this a total of 36 species were recorded. This included Swallow, Spotted Flycatcher and Lapwing. The best sighting was a Peregrine attempting to bag a mallard for lunch. It flew behind some trees so we don’t know the outcome. A pleasant summer morning in a lovely part of the valley.   (Thanks to Beth for leading) Beth Yates

Seventeen of us met near Walton-in-Gordano on a dry, warm morning. Various habitats were promised: managed wetland (seasonally dry), woodland and heath. Straightaway we saw a Grey Heron flapping off close by, and a Buzzard circling in the distance. On the path across the moorland reserve we saw several Swallows, had a good view of a Whitethroat and heard Skylarks. A Roe Deer was seen quite close, and a Sparrowhawk by some. A few House Martins were flying among the Swallows. Up in the woodland above the moor birds were quite quiet but a group of Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper and Jays were spotted. Some of the group saw a Hobby fly over the top of the ridge, and others a Grey Wagtail as we walked back to the cars. A Little Egret appeared as we were preparing to leave. A lovely, varied walk. Thanks to Graham for leading it. In all, 35 bird species were noted, plus some interesting plants, two Roe Deer and two frogs. Sue Cullimore

Birding can be hard going in August; most breeding is over and birds are less visible as they prepare to moult. We still managed 32 species plus Roe Deer and Hare. The dew pond near the car park attracts numerous Swallow and House Martin dropping down for a drink. In spite of the long, dry spell, it was still deep enough for a Mute Swan and a Little Egret.  More Egrets were in the re-wetted field with a flash of a Kingfisher. A Kestrel hunted over the dry pasture, a Red Kite soared in the distance and Buzzard circled over the woodland. The old rail siding is a good place for breeding Whitethroat and we saw several adults and juveniles. Yellowhammer seems less common on the site these days but we found one in a hedge in the southern fields, with a few Skylarks in the pasture. Green Woodpecker were a noisy presence throughout the walk with a couple of good sightings. Goldfinch, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat took full advantage of the numerous Thistle seed heads. (Thanks to Alastair for leading.) Alastair Fraser

Thirteen members met for a very hot and humid walk from the pretty Cotswold village of Hillesley with parties of Swifts darting overhead. The countryside and views were fabulous and very soon after starting our walk we had good views of a Whitethroat sitting on top of an ear of corn. A little further on we came to a stream which we followed and crossed a nice bowed wooden bridge over a lake with Mallards, Mute Swan and Grey Heron. While having our coffee break a Roe Deer appeared nearby but it made a hasty exit when it saw us. From there we could see Green Woodpeckers and Jays in a large tree not far away. We continued on through fields full of grasshoppers or crickets chirping and plenty of butterflies including Peacock, Comma and Small Copper. Three female Pheasants surprised us when they flew in and landed in long grass close to us. A bit further on there was a lot of activity in some tall bushes at the top of a field, mainly Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits. Unfortunately, it was difficult to make out what else, if anything, was there. In all 36 species were noted. Some members were able to watch a Red Kite over the village before the start of the walk, but unfortunately none appeared after the allotted start time to be included in the count. Many thanks to Graham for arranging a lovely walk. Olwen Jones

Eight members arrived in drizzly rain which fortunately stopped in time for the walk which began from the entrance to Clevedon Golf Club. We joined the Clevedon to Portishead coastal path, a narrow sometimes slippery path which gave wonderful views of the Welsh coastline. We saw Blue Tits, Great Tits, Goldfinch and Blackcap and heard Greenfinch, Chiffchaff and Song Thrush along this section. The weather brightened and a short stop for tea and coat removal gave us a glimpse of a Jay, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on a dead tree. There were a few steep climbs along the path, and we headed inland stopping for a picnic lunch (and cake) in Walton Common Woods. The walk through the woods gave us great views of a Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Coal Tit and two Goldcrest, a Treecreeper was heard, and we saw good examples of Robin’s pincushion. At a short stop on the cliff overlooking our earlier tea stop, we saw a Red Kite soaring and a Buzzard mobbed by two Carrion Crows as well as House Martins and even better views of Wales. On the final section of the walk, we found a superb Dryad’s saddle fungus. 33 species in total were seen or heard. Our walk ended as drops of rain started to fall. Thank you to Robin for leading and Graham’s wife for the yummy cake. Maree Richards

On a warm but overcast morning, 24 of us turned up for a very interesting walk at Pilning Wetlands. As soon as we got to the sea wall all the ‘scopes came out to view 80 Oystercatchers, 42 Curlew, 50 Redshank, Canada Geese, Shelduck, 60 Starling and 100’s of Black-headed Gulls amongst which one moulting Mediterranean Gull was spotted by a local patch watcher. Then excitement erupted when a Grey Heron flew up out of the water with a huge rat, and after a few minutes of struggle swallowed it whole. After 40 minutes or so at New Passage we made our way along the Pill where a few House and Sand Martins and at least 20 Swallows were feeding low over the water, and on to the ponds where again we saw a Cormorant, this time with what looked like an eel in its mouth, again swallowing it whole. Although the pools are very low with some sections completely dry, four Little Ringed Plovers including juveniles were identified along with a single Greenshank, Redshank, Common Sandpipers and three Dunlin. Ten distant Lapwings were picked out around the sheep fields and three Avocets flew over to the north, with four Swifts heading the other way. Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler were all feeding in the reeds by the last pool, and to top off our day a Marsh Harrier was seen flying towards the Severn Bridge. Thank you, Jane, for your ID knowledge and the walk, and thank you Alan for keeping the bird list with a total of 51 species. Caron Thornton-Trippit

Encouraged by the optimistic weather forecast, 27 members assembled at the beautiful coniferous and deciduous Stockhill Woods high up on the Mendips, planted on the site of bumps and rocky outcrops left after centuries of lead mining. As heavy showers commenced from the start Graham cut everyone’s losses and changed plan to adopt the shorter circular route through the woodland. Few birds were spotted initially apart from a Treecreeper, and several Woodpigeons and Magpies. All gathered in the car park again and as the rain dried up, we set off across the moors past the head high reed beds of Priddy Ponds, with a Buzzard overhead. The open heathland and water habitats provided far more interest as the sun came out. Graham ploughed on in search of a little used activity centre which had outside tables, where two birthdays were celebrated! On the walk back we were rewarded by a family of four Stonechats in a Hawthorn tree. Other species included in the list of 23 spotted overall were, Ravens, Whinchat, Goldcrest, Coal Tit and a Bullfinch. Many thanks to Graham for leading the walk. Clifford Frappell

Our second weekend was quieter, with 183 visitors, perhaps because of competition from the HarbourFestival, and a wet Sunday. However visitors were rewarded with great views of the birds from the usualwatch point. The three juveniles were seen flying together, and two were frequently on dead branchesopposite. As a final flourish on the Sunday an adult brought prey to one of the ledges opposite. 460 visitorsover both weekends, and a successful year for the young breeding pair. Many thanks to the volunteerswho made the event possible.Gareth Roberts