Field trip reports

Despite July 2022 being the driest month in recorded history, five members turned up for a wet walk across the fields in the Rushmead Lane area. The stiff breeze kept the small birds in cover, making them difficult to see. We were treated to a constant background of Yellowhammer song but it was hard work to get more than this. We did have intermittent views of a mobile flock of small brown birds all the way round; when we finally caught up with it, they were House Sparrows rather than the hoped for Corn Buntings. The corvid numbers also seemed well down but we did find a flock of Starling on the corner by the farm. The highlights were distant views of two Red Kites and a young family of Stonechats in the corn. My thanks go to Alan Daniells for tallying up the list of 20 species seen. (Thanks to Nigel for leading) Nigel Kempson

There was a good turnout of 23 members and one guest for our walk from Compton Dando. We walked through the village towards the bridge over the River Chew and were a little surprised not to see any House Martins. A local resident informed us that there had been nesting birds but they had left after producing just one brood, rather than the usual two or three. At the bridge a Kingfisher was heard very briefly but not seen. There was no sign of the usual Grey Wagtail but we did see a Blue Tit and a Blackbird. As we made our way across the fields, we saw two Green Woodpeckers with a total of seven seen, or heard, on the walk. We also had Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff and Long-tailed Tit. As we climbed the steep path through a wood, we heard a Wren and a Nuthatch. Leaving the wood, we saw a Buzzard. We took a short diversion in Woollard to the bridge where we saw House Martins, Goldfinch and House Sparrow. We carried on following the river and stopped for our coffee break at a lovely spot on the riverbank where we were treated to the sight of a Kingfisher flying at great speed along the river. We also saw a couple of Mallards. As we left Woollard, staying close to the river we added Moorhen and Carrion Crow and then a Grey Heron was seen flying. As we made our way through the woods a Bullfinch was heard. Crossing an uncut meadow, a number of butterflies were seen, including Small Skipper, Common Blue and Gatekeeper. Many thanks to Nick and Alan for keeping a list of species seen or heard. We had a total of 37 species for the walk which was very good for this normally quiet time of the year for birding. (Thanks to Mike for leading.) Mike Landen

Only six brave souls turned up on the hottest day ever recorded, and my was it hot! Having negotiated the long narrow path through the allotments we were pleased to arrive at Eastville Lake which at least afforded a little shade. Herring and Black-headed gulls were abundant as were Mallard, a few Coot and Moorhen along with two posing Herons. Some proud Swans with their cygnets were seen, and on our return back around the lake we were greeted by eleven Canada Geese who were only too pleased to feed from our hand. On leaving the lake in the direction of Snuff Mills as the day progressed it proved to be getting even hotter but on we went stopping for a very well earned rest at the weir where we saw a couple of Grey Wagtails. Refreshed somewhat we plodded on towards Broomhill Road bridge passing fields and borders which were magnificent with wild flowers and plenty of butterflies including Gatekeepers and Red Admirals. On reaching the bridge we saw another Grey Wagtail and two Kingfishers showing very well as we were serenaded from above by a very noisy Blackcap. All told we saw 30 species of bird. Thanks to the brave six for even thinking of coming despite the weather and many thanks to Rich for leading in challenging conditions. Graham Blacker

It was an unexpectedly cloudy morning but still very warm, with barely a breath of wind. Heads down for the climb from the NT car park, there was little to distract us apart from a Chiffchaff in full song. Once up top we had Swallows and a couple of Swifts overhead. A few late arrivals caught up so there were now eleven of us. Linnet, Goldfinch and a family of Great Tits were seen in the bushes on the bay side. Out on the mud flats, Curlews were heard more than seen and there was just a single Shelduck. The sea was flat calm for once but efforts to turn one of the many Black-headed Gulls along the water’s edge into something more interesting failed. A pair of Oystercatchers cavorted noisily on and over the rocky Point. There were good numbers of butterflies up here, early season Gatekeepers looking resplendent, but all were outnumbered by Six Spot Burnet Moths whirring away or coupled on flower heads. Dropping down on the Channel side, we lost all vestige of breeze and conditions were described as sultry. It was quiet with few birds around until a small group of Goldfinches and Linnets arrived and another Chiffchaff called from up above. Some of us chose to keep to the high road and were rewarded by Peregrine; others, following our leader along the pebble beach by Rock Pipit and a scramble up the near vertical track at the end. Crossing to the eastern end of Middle Hope we encountered Skylark, Stonechat and a Buzzard gliding gracefully over the adjoining field. Our lunch stop was a pleasant grassy slope overlooking the pond and River Banwell estuary, giving good views of Little Egret, a hovering Kestrel and another Buzzard harassed by Carrion Crows. On the route back a Grey Heron flew overhead and dropped down to the beach below. There were more fine views of Skylark as we came towards the end of this great walk. 37 species seen. Thanks to Alan for the bird list and to Graham for stepping in to lead. Colin Hawkins

Seventeen of us met at the entrance to the Lower Woods Nature Reserve. The weather promised to be fine and dry. We set off along a broad ride through the woodland, admiring the plants in the verge, which brought butterflies but no sign of any bird; no birds until we emerged into a more open space to be greeted by the sight of three Red Kites and two Buzzards. We walked on through recently cut hay fields and a wonderful wild flower meadow, each field bringing something new – some Kites and Buzzards perched in a “raptor” tree, a small flock of Starlings, plenty of singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap and one visible Whitethroat. Ravens had been calling and soon we saw four, maybe a family, then a fine male Redstart up ahead. Before we splashed our way across the stream we were entertained by a flock of young Goldfinches. Crossing back by bridge gave a glimpse of a Grey Wagtail. A few saw the Marsh Tit as it shot out of a bush. In the woods where two paths joined, we had a flurry of small birds including a Nuthatch and, at last, a Spotted Flycatcher. We ended the walk with an invisible Bullfinch singing loudly and the sight of a Robin. In spite of early misgivings 36 species were seen. It had been a wildflower filled walk with stands of Common Spotted Orchids; many Meadow Brown, Ringlet and a few Marbled White and Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies; one Muntjac and one Roe Deer. Thanks to Alan Daniels for keeping the bird list and thanks to our leader Jean. Anne Crowe

A delightful walk between Luckington and Sherston on a cool and windy Tuesday. As soon as the group of 21 set off we counted Swifts and House Martins circling the village, with Sparrows chattering in the hedges and Wren calling. On entering the churchyard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Blackcap and Long-tailed Tits were seen. Onward we spotted a Grey Wagtail high in a tree with a beak full of insects ready to feed a youngster heard calling. Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Blackbird added to the list. Song Thrush delighted us with a variety of notes and calls. The route took us past ancient cottages, and over a ford where we spotted a Buzzard. Along a country lane we heard and saw Lesser Whitethroat, then we continued along a footpath, through a field of rippling barley, across meadows alive with butterflies and insects. A short stop for morning coffee, then through more meadows, a field of waisthigh maize and a very hidden stile that took a bit of finding.. The final field held more swooping House Martins, Swifts and possibly Swallows as well. A raptor darted from a tree and off into the distance which may have been a Hobby! Thanks to Graham for leading. Di Bunniss

This was our annual, evening field trip for Nightjars. We met initially at Cannop Ponds, Forest of Dean for a short walk through the woodland alongside the lakes. It was fairly quiet; a couple of singing Blackcaps and Song Thrushes and a family of Long-tailed Tits. There was a good count of Grey Wagtails with at least three family groups up to seven strong. The Mandarin Ducks also had a good breeding season, at least 20 counted. Post breeding, the males were in eclipse plumage and were rather less spectacular than earlier in the season. We then reassembled in the car park just beyond Speech House and walked a circuit up to the watch point on Crabtree Hill. On our walk we found two of our hoped-for species: Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler, with three Buzzards circling around. At the watch point we settled down to wait for something to happen. After an uncharacteristically brief period we heard a quiet churr of a Nightjar. As it darkened the churring increased and was joined by a second. We saw a brief flight and a Nightjar settled on top of a small pine, not far away, churring loudly. A few of us glimpsed a Woodcock disappearing over the tree tops, quickly followed by two more over our heads and one flying in the opposite direction. On the way back we were treated to another Nightjar flight and the calls of more Woodcock. (Thanks to Alastair for leading ) Alastair Fraser

Alas there was a traffic problem in Bristol so we lost a couple of car loads of walkers. Nine walkers – including Simon, a veteran member but a new Tuesday walker, started along the path towards the Bottom. A Redstart family was an immediate sighting, followed by Bullfinch, Raven, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff and a Yellowhammer. As the day heated there was an increase in fly numbers and, apart from Chaffinch, Goldfinch and a singing Whitethroat, there wasn’t much else. As we paused for coffee, we were entertained by Stonechat, Song Thrush, but alas only two Swallows. As we approached the turning into Kings Wood it was clear that barriers were in place (Ash die back – danger of death), so we turned instead to transit along the back of the wood, where a Treecreeper was seen and a Coal Tit heard. Finally on reaching our normal route, time dictated so we cut along the road rather than up to the radio masts. At Mendip Farm we encountered a group of Stock Doves roosting on the wood piles and a nice count of House Martins around the barns. Thanks to Alan Daniells for keeping better records than me and getting us to 32 species for the day. (Thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

The walk started with Swifts and Chaffinches near the village and after crossing the main road we had several Corn Buntings and Skylarks in the bushes and fields. Along the track were more Corn Buntings, singing and flying. A Yellowhammer was spotted in a nearby tree adding to our list. As we approached Rushmead Lane three Red Kites and three Buzzards gave good views. A few yards along the lane was a family of Whitethroat, parents busy feeding young. Another nice turn-up was a Lesser Whitethroat which called then flew across the field from a nearby bush. It was a pleasant end to a very hot walk – 22 species and 15 walkers. (Thanks to Chris Perry for leading ) Chris Perry

A good crowd (24) turned up in reasonable conditions to crisscross our way over Felton Common. Most of the walk we were accompanied by the singing of Skylarks (parachute flight), Whitethroats (around their territories) and Linnets. A distant Kestrel was monitoring the rustlings from a landing light post, Swallows zipped over the grass at knee height and the House Sparrow simply would not morph into anything more exciting. Our coffee break Buzzard made its appearance on cue and we actually ‘saw’ a Willow Warbler singing (three seen /heard in total). Some male and female Stonechats were seen and the best count we got of House Martins, at the Round House, was 18 – probably 9 pairs with nests under the eaves. The walk down Long Lane added another Kestrel flying over and a Yellowhammer making the count four in total. A second Song Thrush was seen, adding to the one heard close to a snail shell anvil on the common. A lone gull, making free with a water trough, was initially thought to be a third-year Herring Gull but after close study through a scope, re identified as a Yellow-legged Gull. Up Kingdown Lane, past the camping site, we heard more Long-tailed Tits, a lucky few saw a Bullfinch and Chaffinches were singing in the background. Back on the common for lunch with Chiffchaff putting in a refrain or 20 and then the final leg back to the cars. A follow up report from an early finisher recorded a Grey Heron. The total count was 34 species and many thanks to Melanie for leading us round. Melanie Patch & Nick Hawkridge