Field trip reports

Twenty members made a staggered start on a mild morning, the prompt glimpsing a weasel, the tardy two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flying over, all to the continuous songs of Wrens, Robins and Blackcaps. The route was alongside a biggish pond. Here were two Mute Swans, two Canada Geese and a Moorhen, while to the right were singing Reed Warblers and a Reed Bunting, also Cetti’s Warblers and Dunnocks. Tree buds had burst but the leaves were still small and each species a different shade, so the visual effect was fantastic. Also seen were Longtailed, Blue and Great Tits, Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs, one of which gave an agile display of catching midges swarming above the flowers. Heron, Little Egret, Curlew and a few Shelduck were on show along the Severn Way and a fine view of a Peregrine flying onto a pylon to overlook the coffee break. Two Linnets and a Pied Wagtail were seen but birds were not so evident and we turned back to the embankment overlooking an extensive area of brambles and small trees. It looked perfect for Whitethroat at least but none were seen, though a Stonechat perched on the fence. Turning for home, the path through an overgrown meadow beside a small pond ended in a final orchard where there were a number of Blue Tits and Chiffchaffs. There were singletons of Treecreeper, Little Grebe and Kestrel along the way which, together with the expected regulars, lifted the species tally to 45. A lovely morning. Many thanks to Di for leading and Alistair for compiling the list. Simon Reece

A blustery but mostly sunny day with occasional showers failed to deter a total of 16 members for a walk around Sand Point to St. Thomas’s Head. Walk started with a large movement of Swallows heading west over Sand Point, having presumably come from an overnight roost at Blagdon/Chew. Soon after, we heard a Whitethroat just south of the car park that showed beautifully for about five minutes. A male Ring Ouzel was seen distantly half way along Sand Point but quickly flew into cover as a passing shower forced us to also find shelter! Upon arrival to Middle Hope, a female Wheatear was seen in flight and at least two territorial Rock Pipits were seen on the north side. The group were overjoyed to find a second male Ring Ouzel feeding and showing well on a cliff in the cove with a possible female also associating with it. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling in bramble just above the cove but could not be located in a twenty minute search. News of a Redstart prompted a quick detour over to St. Thomas’s Head, which unfortunately was unsuccessful but we did manage to find several obliging Stonechats that posed for photos. All in all, a decent walk with everyone very happy with what they had seen. Many thanks to all who attended. (Thanks to Matt for leading). Matt Hull

Twenty-four members joined for a casual walk in Portishead. We had a special species in mind for our trip: the Purple Sandpiper. Being from a different hemisphere all the birds were quite exciting and opened up a whole new world of sight and song from the Mute Swans to the Chiffchaffs. We spotted but mostly heard 35 species, including the not just one but four Purple Sandpipers, which are winter visitors and should be leaving soon so it was a great sighting. At the beginning of our walk we were greeted with a Willow Warbler, deceptively similar to the abundant Chiffchaffs, but unique in its song. While on our walk around Battery Point we not only saw the Purple Sandpipers but also Oystercatchers, and Rock Pipits. The walk through the woods was beautiful and really tested our bird song recollection. Later in the walk we heard some Goldcrests, extraordinarily small birds with a big voice. Spotting them was much harder than hearing them. Notable other species were Blackcap and Pied Wagtail. Thank you to Graham and Diana, who expertly guided us through the woods and back just in time for lunch! (Reported by a visitor from Cape Town here for three weeks only). Koi Pillay

When the 15 walkers set out, the weather was somewhat gloomy but by the end, we were in glorious sunshine. Thirty-seven species were noted and contrary to expectations, the heronry was extremely active with 19 nests seen, 15 of which were occupied, many by both adults and chicks. We spent some time watching a Treecreeper, a Nuthatch and Jackdaw, diving in and out of holes in the dead poplars. We also noted three Cormorants sitting in a dead tree while very noisy Buzzards circled above us. We also heard a Raven calling and a Mute Swan flew up river. Spring was evident with bluebells and cowslips in places and many Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies were seen. Karen Birmingham

This field trip was combined with a young birders meeting (in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust). Forty-four people attended. A Red Kite flew overhead as we gathered in the car park. We walked through Poplar Wood to the sound of multiple bird songs, pausing briefly by the nest hole of a Kingfisher (no longer in use). We emerged into the wetland field to find Yellowhammer, Little Egret, Heron and a Sparrowhawk. A Willow Warbler, on passage, sang briefly and was photographed by those who hung back as we moved on. The first House Martin of the year flew over the woodland. Along the rail sidings we heard two Bullfinches and saw Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Greenfinch. The Tamworth piglets provided some entertainment as they had busted out of their compound and were trespassing where they were not supposed to be. A bit of amateur pig wrangling and a call to the estate sorted them out. 34 bird species plus Roe Deer and a Common Lizard. Thanks to Robin and Gareth for co-leading. Alastair Fraser

A good turnout of 41 walkers on this very foggy and chilly day headed out along the Severn Way for 500m before returning. Walking to the Severn Way and passing some houses, we observed the typical birds in the hedgerows including Goldfinches. Scopes and tripods ready we arrived at the information sign for the start of our morning field trip. We had a great high tide at 10:46 (12.34 m). Initially, the estuary had poor visibility with the “new” M4 bridge barely visible, but this improved over time with the M48 bridge eventually making an appearance. The saltmarsh “is an international service station for migrating and wintering shorebirds. The mudflats and saltmarsh of the Severn estuary provide valuable food and a site to rest, more than 240 species have been recorded here”. Walking along the top of the sea defences we could look over the estuary and mudflats to the north and wetland pools and reed beds to the south. Redshanks on the edge of the rising tide Shelduck, Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall easily spotted in groups in the mist of the mudflats. We were then pleasantly surprised to see a flock of Sand Martins flying over us. The final count recorded to BirdTrack, concluded we had seen 51 species. With the bird of the day possibly seeing the Little Gull which fluttered around for a while showing very well. Finally, many thanks to Jane for leading the trip. Vernon Holmes

We started with a short talk about the farm history. In the ‘80s the owners commenced initiatives to aid environmental programmes including wildlife etc. We then had a “ramble” around the farm. Birdseed is sprinkled daily on the tracks to attract finches and Chaffinches and Yellowhammers were seen. They started a vegetable growing project two years ago with “no dig, no fertiliser”. They now supply vegetable boxes to local restaurants. There is a field with many square metres of plants allowed to go to seed which attracts the Goldfinch and Linnet. Mistle Thrush and Red Kite was seen in this area. They have several Barn Owl boxes placed on the wood boundary. They also have Kestrel boxes; both species have successfully bred. We witnessed a Kestrel flying. Then we walked past what is known as “Corvid Wood” In the distance we could see the roof of Southmead hospital!! They have “Low stock” grazing by cattle in the summer. Every field is managed differently to maintain diversity. They have four beehives. We saw a Hare – always a delight plus Buzzards soaring on the thermals, heard Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. We then walked along the road to Compton Dando Sewage Works where we saw a Grey Wagtail and a Brimstone Butterfly. Then the long uphill road back to the farm. 31 species and 31 walkers. Thanks to Philippa for a lovely guided tour. Trudy Sheen

Nineteen birders gathered at the National Trust car park. We walked up to the ridge and along to the point in a low wind with the sun trying to emerge from behind the clouds. We saw a group of about thirty Shelducks on the shoreline below us together with a lone Curlew. Walking back from the point, the sun emerged and several Skylarks celebrated in song. We enjoyed seeing a pair of Stonechats skipping from tuft to tuft, several Meadow Pipits and the brief appearance of a shy Rock Pipit. Stopping for tea at a small cove we were lucky to see two Porpoises very close in while a Peregrine put in a brief appearance overhead. We walked about as far as we could go along the spine of the hill to a position which overlooked a small inlet (Woodspring Bay) and paused for our picnic break. A keen observer spotted two groups of Redshanks skulking in vegetation near the shoreline. Two Kestrels hovered close overhead whilst a couple of Mute Swans could be seen in the distance. The weather was beautiful on our uneventful sunny stroll, back to the car park, with the clouds kindly delaying their gathering until we packed our things for departure. 33 species were recorded in total. Thanks to Caron and Graham for leading. Adam Jenner

Fifteen members met at Parkend Green, and spent the first half an hour searching for Hawfinches. After a little time, three were spotted in the canopy of a distant tree, before they all flew off. A short ramble around Parkend produced some lovely sightings of Nuthatches, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, and several Song Thrushes. Two Siskins were also seen – perching, then flying off. Upon return to the cars, we were treated to an excellent view of a Bullfinch. Then, a short stop for lunch at an atmospherically foggy New Fancy View, where an additional two members joined us. We were lucky even to see a Buzzard as well as another Mistle Thrush, and a Bullfinch. Finally, to Cannop Ponds, where there were two Marsh Tits in a mixed flock feeding by the car park. On our way round the Ponds, we saw Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Firecrest, a Treecreeper, a particularly brave Raven, along with Grey and Pied Wagtails. No Goshawk seen, mainly due to the fog, but all in all, a rather successful day of birding! Thank you to Robert for leading, and to David for driving so many members from Bristol. Fin Latcham

Twenty-six people set off on a mild spring day for a very pleasant three mile walk through lanes and fields between Kelston and the River Avon. After passing Bath Soft Cheese factory our first bird was a loud, but invisible Song Thrush. We followed a stream downhill with many tufa deposits forming small waterfalls next to a hedge with primroses, snowdrops and hazel catkins indicating spring had arrived at last. On the opposite bank of the River Avon to the Jolly Sailor pub, we passed four photogenic alpacas and two donkeys. We then followed the footpath by the river seeing some hybrid ducks, Moorhen, Mute Swans and three Greenfinches before scanning the Saltford rocks on Mead Lane hoping to see Little Owls – which we didn’t. We saw a pair of Kingfishers in the overhanging branches of the trees on the river bank just west of the old railway/cycle path bridge. Also in the trees were four Cormorants drying off in the weak sunshine. Pausing opposite the Riverside Inn, we watched a Buzzard overhead, heard Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers and saw some rabbits by the hedgerow. In all 31 species were seen or heard. We then followed the farm track back the Bath Soft Cheese Cafe where some of us sat outside to have coffees and lunch. A very pleasant end to the walk. Thanks to Caron and Graham for leading. Alison Griffies