Field trip reports

What a lovely day for the last walk before Christmas. We trod the usual path up the south side of the River Frome. The first stretch of woodland was nearly silent but with plenty of tits and Goldcrest to be seen. The rear half of the 15 walkers managed to see Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker and caught up the front half who were onto a couple of Nuthatch and a flighty Jay. Two treats at the coffee stop. Firstly thanks for the lovely mince pies and secondly thanks to the Jay for dive bombing a Sparrowhawk causing it to flee from its conifer right over our heads. It did however perch nearby so its pictures could be taken. Down again to the river at Frenchay Bridge where, upriver, we saw a Kingfisher, flitting from one low slung perch to another, hunting for its lunch. Heading back past the oxbow, a few Mallard and Moorhen braved the torrent and another Kingfisher was particularly obliging by coming over to our side of the river to show off her finery – much to the delight of the family who had stopped to watch. What special sight these birds must have to see into such turgid depths. Back to the cars with 30 species seen and a three quid’s worth of parking well spent. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Hawkridge

An exceptionally rich walk round a still but very cold Oldbury Power Station ended with 60 bird species seen. 14 people met at 08.30 – early enough for the sun to be rising as we travelled there; and many eyes found many birds, including Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and a handsome male Pintail (the latter ducks presumably driven from their usual currently frozen lakes).There was also Lapwing, Curlew, Grey Plover, a single Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, over 1000 Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe, a Woodcock flushed from a grassy bank in Lagoon 2, Common Gull, Cormorant, Heron, a single Cattle Egret flying over, and extraordinarily – two Mute Swans who had made and maintained a circular ice free area in the frozen lake. Raptors and corvids included a Buzzard, two Kestrel, two Sparrowhawk, two Peregrine, two Raven and five Rook. Smaller birds seen included Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Starling flocks, a Mistle Thrush, ten Song Thrush (eight on the salt marsh along the shore – looking desperate our leader thought!), Redwing and Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit, Linnet flocks, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting – and for those who love Yellowhammers, a flock of at least 17 in the salt marsh and adjacent hedgerow by Thornbury Sailing Club south of the power station. We also saw two Hares tucked in like small boulders on open meadow, a Fox snoozing into a south facing bank just above the lake, and most amazingly – at least three Common Dolphins hunting up the Severn with gulls circling above. Thanks to Pete for leading. Lois Pryce

Ten intrepid and initially very cold members set off from the village hall car park. A quick trip across the main road for a peek over the bridges proved fruitless, unfortunately, so we pressed on to the Common where we saw floppy flights of Lapwings heading west. A Green Woodpecker gave us an undulating fly-past followed by the first Sparrowhawk of the day. Plenty of Redwings about and a Goldcrest gave us a brief show as we passed through a copse. Shortly after this a second Sparrowhawk was seen which was being pursued by a Carrion Crow. A flock of Chaffinches were raiding a field of stubble along the hedgerow ahead of us. On to Lords Wood for a coffee break where a Nuthatch was heard but not seen. Approaching Nutgrove Farm, we were lucky enough to see a large flock of Fieldfares in the field sloping away to our left and ahead of us many Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Redwings whizzed between the trees and the ground. Two Yellowhammers made a brief appearance in the hedge behind us. As we passed the farm we disturbed a couple of Ravens who were taking a not disinterested view of some chicken coops. Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails rounded off our trip along with the languid flight of a Little Egret. 42 species in total. Thanks to Mike for co-leading, Alan C for leading and Alan Daniells for the records. Alan Craddock

On a dull day 36 walkers set off from The Riverside, where the BOC Christmas lunch was to be held. Shortly after starting a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen, a Mistle Thrush called to show itself, a Grey Heron looked attentive on the river bank and a Sparrowhawk swished by. A Cormorant perched high on a tree. Another birder told us the Little Owl was showing on the cliff facing the river, so on we raced, with Fieldfare and Redwing flying around. A Stonechat was spotted with another Heron and lots of Common Gulls but no Little Owl! Disappointing, as for some it would have been a first for the year, but our leader promised another look on the way back. We turned back and took the road up to Avon Farm, avoiding the muddy tracks. This gave us Collared Dove, more Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Raven, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest and a field with over fifty winter thrushes. A brief coffee stop at Avon Farm gave us a Pied Wagtail. Needing to be back by 12.15 we retraced our steps and looked for the Little Owl but again we were disappointed. A short diversion up onto the cycle track for another look along the river, then a hurry back to The Riverside. Our short walk had brought us water birds including seven Mute Swans and two Moorhen, and the usual small birds with a notable Chiffchaff; 37 species altogether. Then, with a few non-walkers joining us, we sat down to an excellent Christmas lunch. It was quite special to be reviving the Tuesday Group Christmas walk and lunch tradition. Thanks to Mike Landen for organising it so efficiently. We left some of the group still looking for the Little Owl. Thanks to Robert for leading. Anne Crowe

On a cold but dry day ten of us walked down from Thingwall Park into the Frome Valley, spotting Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit and a total of twelve Redwings in the woodland. Above the river, we had good views of a male Kingfisher, and on the first weir there was a Heron and a Grey Wagtail. Four Stock Doves showed and two Jays. At Stoke Park a Nuthatch was heard and then seen, and also flocks of Blue and Great Tits, Goldfinches and 14 Long-tailed Tits. Eleven Cormorants flew over. A Buzzard was being chased off by a Magpie, and several more Goldfinches were feeding on the thistles on which a pair of Stonechats briefly perched. Two Goldcrests and two Dunnock were also spotted. The ponds had attracted many birds – Mute Swans, Black-headed gulls, Mallard (and a white duck), Moorhens and Coots. As we circled the larger pond a Water Rail suddenly broke cover from the rushes, flying up right behind the leader’s back. Returning via Stapleton Church there was no Peregrine today. A total of 34 species were seen. Thanks to Richard for leading. Kate Cashmore Postscript to Eastville Park walk; Alan Jefferies and I carried on towards the weir after the walk. I noticed something in the river just upstream from where Fishponds Brook joins the river. It was an otter, probably a female. We watched for a short time until the otter disappeared. By then we had very close views of a Kingfisher, taking advantage of the otter to fish, and nearby a Treecreeper. Richard Scantlebury

Seven intrepid walkers met in the village of South Stoke just south of Bath on a very foggy morning. Setting off along Packhorse Lane we stopped to look across the valley at the fantastic views – apparently you should see Westbury White Horse from here, but we could hardly see the hedgerow. We turned into a field hoping to see maybe Pied Wagtail but not today. Continuing down the valley we came to a stream, and looking into the high trees we saw Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit and heard Nuthatch. Moving on we stopped for a well deserved coffee break at the reservoir under the old railway viaduct. Then we ascended 92 steps to the old S and D railway path and continued to the Midford station where we spotted plenty of Long-tailed Tit. We carried on along the Cam brook/Somerset coal canal seeing Buzzard and Sparrowhawk along the way, then leaving the path we joined the long incline back to our cars. Not a lot of bird life but a lovely walk nevertheless with 33 species in total. (Thanks to Graham for leading.) Graham Blacker

It was a lovely November day with sunshine and rather warmer than expected as 28 of us set off from the main car park at the lake towards the dam wall. On the way we saw a couple of Long-tailed Tits. We then managed to see a number of species that included Canada Goose (two), Mallard, Goldeneye (two), Great Crested Grebe (twelve plus), Pochard (twelve plus), Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull and Cormorant. As we walked back towards the entrance, we had fairly distant views of two Red Kites flying at the opposite end of the Lake. We then walked through fields on the north of the lake and added a number of common species to our list. These included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackbird and Wren. We took a short detour from the main path in order to walk along the river bank and almost immediately some of us had a fine view of a Kingfisher perched on a branch quite close. It flew up river but then landed about 20 metres away and so enabled others to see it. Although we see Kingfisher reasonably regularly, it is one bird that always causes a buzz of excitement. A little further on we disturbed a Buzzard on the ground and it flew to a nearby branch still well in sight. We added Song Thrush, Redwing and Goldfinch to our list. After coffee break, we walked along Dumpers Lane adding Dunnock, Collared Dove and House Sparrow. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in flight and as we walked back along the lake between the two car parks, we saw another pair of Goldeneye a bit closer this time. We also added Stonechat and, in the distance, a large raft of Cormorant. Among other species seen or heard were Kestrel, Jay, Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch and Bullfinch. It was a very pleasant walk with a respectable total of 42 species. Thanks to Alan for keeping a record of birds seen (and to Mike for leading). Mike Landen

On a bright morning of sunshine and showers nine of us set off on a meandering visit to Ham Wall, pausing at the first viewpoint and boardwalk en route for the Avalon Hide on the far side of the reserve. During our wanderings we saw and/or heard 40 species ranging from smaller birds such as Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and Stonechat to a “giant” such as a Great White Egret looking elegant with its bright yellow winter beak. In common with other reserves in the area, winter migrants have been slow to return this year. At Ham Wall and nearby Shapwick Heath, however, duck numbers have begun to increase during the past couple of weeks and we were delighted to see flocks of brightly coloured Wigeon with, here and there among them, the subtle tweed plumage of smaller groups of Gadwall. From the boardwalk near the first viewpoint we spent some time trying to count the line-up of some ten Snipe (there might have been many more there), superbly camouflaged and almost invisible as they roosted among the clumps of dead reeds on the fringe of a small island. Throughout our wanderings we had frequent views of circling Marsh Harriers, the creamy markings on the heads of the females showing up clearly in the bright sunlight. On one occasion their predatory silhouettes alerted a large flotilla of floating Wigeon, sending them wheezing and whistling in alarm as they dashed for cover to the nearby reed bed. This had been a morning full of the interest and variety so typical of Ham Wall Reserve. And I haven’t even mentioned the starlings! (Thanks to Charles for leading.) Charles Martin

Despite a dire weather forecast, predicting heavy and continuous rain, an optimistic group of 14 gathered in Blaise car park. As we grappled with the complexities of the ticket machine, the rain eased and by 10:00 we set off in the dry and thankfully it stayed that way. The first birds to be seen were Magpies, gathering near the cafe. The Mansion area had Jackdaws, Robins and possible Goldcrest in the conifers. A Goldcrest was then spotted in the Churchyard yew, with a Mistle Thrush perched high above in a tall tree. The Royals, a wide grassed area with an interesting history, had Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Mistle Thrush and flocks of Redwings flying over and occasionally settling among the trees. Two Buzzards flew up from their perch, more Goldcrest seen and various small birds darted about the trees. We climbed to the Castle for our coffee break where more Redwings came over and a Raven gave his harsh cry. Little was to be seen on the Beech Avenue, and the brook was full after the recent rain, rushing too fast for any Grey Wagtails. At the far end of the path a Sparrowhawk was spotted perched up high in the distance checking the area. Despite the forecast we had a dry walk with 29 species counted. Thanks to Nick for keeping a record (and to Di for leading). Di Bunniss

The sun was shining as eleven of us including one guest arrived in the Gwent Levels. As we walked to the RSPB stall to peruse the sightings board we passed a set of bird feeders, enabling us to claim a variety of tits and finches as well as a female Pheasant that had established itself below the feeders. Some of us spotted a Sparrowhawk flashing behind the feeders. Full of expectation (RSPB staff had told us of recent sightings of both otters and Bitterns), we headed towards the East Usk lighthouse. Along the way we heard our first Cetti’s warblers and had sightings of Reed Buntings and Skylark. A Cormorant was perched high up on a pylon to our right. We paused at the lighthouse to scan the estuary. There were Shelducks and Curlews roosting on the grass (the tide was high); Wigeon and a few Teal swam in the channel. As we proceeded along the path, a Little Egret flew to the shoreline and some of us heard the squealing of a Water Rail deep in the reeds. We paused to admire some dragonflies and a Red Admiral butterfly. Reaching the Uskmouth hide, we learned that we had just missed a Bittern that had flown across the channel. A pair of Little Grebes was poor compensation. Resuming the trail, we soon reached the picnic area as there was almost nothing to be seen along the path that passed some inviting looking shrubs with berries although we did find a Goldcrest in the woods. During our picnic lunch, first a Heron and then a pair of Buzzards flew over. Half the group decided to move on to Goldcliff wetlands. Some winter thrushes were seen (including good views of Fieldfare, the first of the winter for some). A Stonechat and a hovering Kestrel appeared before we reached the first hide. The deeper lagoons hosted several dozen Teal and Lapwings wheeled overhead. Suddenly there was pandemonium as a medium-sized raptor raced over the reeds – Peregrine! As we were watching this impressive bird, a female Marsh Harrier appeared (also hunting) which gave good views. We stopped at the largest hide; initially only a few Shoveler were seen but a pair of geese soon took our attention. These were probably Greylags but possibly hybrids, as they had orange bills, a hint of white around the bill base but dark- coloured backs. A walk along the seawall added Oystercatcher to our list but we were tipped off about an interesting bird that had just been seen. We eventually caught up with this – Black Redstart. A great ending to a lovely trip, good company and wonderful weather for the time of year. 52 species of bird seen. (Many thanks to Peter for offering to lead.) Peter Bryant