Field trip reports

15 people met in still warm weather. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard were over the moors. Woodpigeon nestled in the Land Yeo meadow with a youngster without its adult-white neck patch. The usual Pied Wagtails on the golf course, one showing a strikingly white head but without the paler grey back of a proper Alba. Through the woods to Cadbury Camp – Chiffchaff, Goldfinch and Chaffinch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mistle Thrush, Raven and Buzzard, and a few migrating Swallows purposefully over, and a small flock of Long-tailed Tits. Back across the moors Collared and Stock Doves, and a Mute Swan almost hidden in the deep banks of the river. Grey Heron, Cormorant, Stonechat, and a striking display of aerobatics from a group of crows who must have been hunting insects. 33 species total (thanks to Jan and Lois for leading). Lois Pryce

Nine people met at Seaton Wetlands on a lovely late summer morning. The hides gave us close-up views of the Seaton trams passing by, as well as the waders, gulls and ducks (including a solitary Pintail) on the lagoon and estuary. The first two Kingfishers of the day were spotted, along with a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker, and a variety of tits and finches. Around lunchtime we headed off to Darts Farm. After a picnic lunch we walked to Bowling Green Marsh. The lagoons and reedbeds along the way were fairly dry, but once at the hide the waders and ducks tested our identification skills. In time we worked out that there were some Bar-tailed Godwit among the Black-tailed Godwit, along with a few Knot. Careful attention to the reeds gave us a typically partial sighting of a couple of Snipe. We moved on to the platform overlooking the Exe Estuary, where the more vigilant members saw an Osprey flying away with its fishy lunch. Several Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern swooped and dived in front of us. After much effort a Curlew Sandpiper was confirmed among a Dunlin flock. Heading back to Darts Farm a couple of members spotted a smart male Ruff, rounding off a fine day’s birding. 62 species in total. Thanks to Jane for leading and for helping us sort out those tricky waders and ducks in eclipse. Chris and Sarah Neale

This walk was a new variation on our usual Backwell Lake walk. We first circuited the lake itself where we saw two dabchicks, two Cormorants, two Grey Herons, and two Little Egrets. A male Gadwall was with the Mallards, most of them in eclipse plumage. A Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly and a Great Spotted Woodpecker called. Across Station Road we found broken freshwater mussel shells (the work of an otter?) in the field. On the East side of Nailsea is a wide grassy area by the River Kenn. A Blackbird came near us on the path and a Green Woodpecker yaffled. Along the river we enjoyed views of Wraxall Church, Tyntesfield, and Watercress farm, but few birds! A group of 200 Starlings sat catering on wires at Backwell Common. Other birds seen included four Collared Doves, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, and a flock of Linnet. A total of 28 species, the 19 walkers had enjoyed a pleasant walk despite some drizzle (thanks to Sue and John for leading). Sue Prince

After a night of intermittent heavy rain, eleven assembled at Little Sodbury and soon Blue Tit, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit were identified in the trees. Jackdaws were present in an adjacent field where the knowledgeable amongst us were able to identify the raised strips as pillow mounds raised for former rabbit warrens. Crossing fields to Horton, Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen and Green Woodpecker heard as well as Robin and Wren. At the fishing lake, Little Grebe and Moorhen were noted and then 85 Mallards at the next small pool. House Sparrows were seen around Horton gardens as well as Greenfinch and Goldfinch with House Martins and Swallows overhead. At Horton Camp possible Stonechats quickly became the Whinchat stars of the day with good sightings of two via scopes. A small party went on to Old Sodbury and were rewarded with a sighting of three Spotted Flycatchers. The other notable sighting for the first time in many weeks was, thanks to the overnight rain, mud. 34 species were noted in all. Thanks to Alastair for leading. Judith Craddock

It was apparent there is a strengthening interest in this venue, evidenced by the weekend turnout of 16 members. On the lane we saw three Mistle Thrushes (27 had been reported here earlier!). Upon arriving at the common a mixed gathering of House Martins and young Swallows had us debating tail streamer lengths, before we aligned our sight along the hedgerow to see Blackcap and a couple of Spotted Flycatchers. A charm of Goldfinches twinkled in the foreground, the first of what would eventually be around 80 birds thriving on thistle seeds. Next up was a Redstart followed by two of each of Whinchat and Whitethroat, then another Redstart, this time a showy male. Buzzard, Kestrel and another Spotted Flycatcher kept the group focused before we topped the bushy vista to march on to where the cattle were gathered, passing two Wheatears and a cronking Raven as we went. The cattle had done their job to keep 17 Yellow Wagtails waiting for us. The varying plumages contained a few exquisite bright yellow males. With the ‘target birds’ bagged we returned satisfied with 37 species. Many thanks to the group for being such good company (and thanks to Mike for leading). Mike Jackson

We gathered in the National Trust car park to walk down the valley, circling behind the mansion where the old stables once stood. Not many birds on this stretch but we saw and heard Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Robin and a Buzzard. We continued gently downhill towards the lakes, Wren and Blackcap visible, to arrive at the Boat House, where we were met by James Gomery, the National Trust Warden for the estate. He gave us a very informative talk on the area management for wildlife, with the felling and removal of the conifers and reintroduction of native deciduous trees. While he was speaking, a Kingfisher darted down the pool in one direction and a Heron flew in another! After a relaxing coffee stop, with time or strolling around the immediate area, the route then led on along a board-walk fringing the lake and through a field of six docile Belted Welsh cattle. Lunch stop was soon reached and  we settled on the lake banks to watch more bird life. A flock of House Martins, Swallows and a few Sand Martins were swooping down over the water, a wonderful aerial display. Time for a leisurely lunch then a stroll back along the upper path, where we spotted the bird of the day, a Whinchat. Picnic tables and benches outside the mansion provided another resting place. Altogether 33 species. Thanks to Nick for keeping a record and to Di for leading. Di Bunniss

Rain en route stopped when we arrived at Clevedon and it became very warm. Only two or three Swallows and House Martins were around the approach to the Golf Course, and only Wren and Chiffchaff tweeted in the hedges beside the long path to the coffee field  overlooking the estuary near Walton-in-Gordano. Here we had Green Woodpecker calling, then showing well in a fir tree and two Ravens flew over. Peter spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the top of a bare tree and a Goldfinch on top of the fir. There was a very  distant Stonechat (ID via Alan’s scope) on a bush at the top of the field. A Cormorant flew down river, with a now sunlit Wales appearing out of the mist behind. Three members left us after coffee, leaving nine to continue. Very little was seen from the 13 coast path except a Black-headed Gull and two or three Herring Gulls, then a juvenile Herring Gull was spotted eating a crab on a rock, being approached by two young Crows. Jean saw a Kestrel just before we entered the wood. Once inside the wood leading to Walton Common, Alan heard Treecreeper and Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tits gave flitting views and Nuthatch was heard. Lunch was taken when we emerged onto the Common. Continuing onwards, we heard Great Tit and another Green Woodpecker. After crossing the Walton road we ascended the long path up through Rock Wood to the Golf Course, where a Buzzard was heard and a Robin seen. 33 species. (Thanks to Judy for leading) Judy Copeland

Seventeen Club members met Andy on Herriotts Bridge. Autumn wader passage was underway, producing three Wood Sandpipers amongst 24 Green Sandpipers, and a Little Ringed Plover as well as 24 Snipe – a good count so early in the autumn. We spent time studying first the waders and then the gulls, picking out a Common and a Yellow-legged Gull amongst the more numerous Lesser Black-blacked Gulls and Black-headed Gulls. Great White and Little Egrets posed at close range for comparison. Black-tailed Godwits have moved from the pool to the lake, perhaps seeking deeper water, and a few were scattered along the shoreline. Lots of Sand Martins zoomed around our heads, a Cetti’s Warbler sang, a Raven ‘cronked’ and the sharp-eyed caught the blue flash of a Kingfisher or two out over the lake. We moved to Herons Green to find a quite unusual bird for Chew: an Oystercatcher. Also, there were Little Grebes, two Common Sandpipers, another Yellow-legged Gull and at least 30 Pied Wagtails with one Yellow Wagtail. We almost overlooked the Common Tern crouching low on the back of the old road that now pokes out of the shallow water. The group then split so as not to overwhelm the hides, half going to Villice Bay which turned up Lapwing and seven Mistle Thrushes, then on to Nunnery to see 20 Ringed Plovers, three Dunlin, Common and Green Sandpipers. The other half chose Stratford where up to three Garganey were hiding behind waving reeds which parted now and then to allow the odd glimpse of an eclipse male. We also had a few Shovelers, a Peregrine that shot down the lake disturbing all the ducks and a Hobby hunting over woods on the far shore. The shore held another unexpected wader- a juvenile Turnstone (two were reported). Many thanks to Andy Davis for his patience in imparting some of the knowledge he has picked up during all his years of birding at Chew. Jane Cumming

Although the great heat of the past week had lessened it was still a very humid day. Thirty members met in the car park and were treated to a light shower, of which there were a number during the morning. Jean led us off to the ‘BOC hedge’ which a number of BOC members had planted some years before. There was also an impressive fence, although the gate needed some attention. Discussions were taking place regarding a bird of prey we had seen gliding down the hill and on balance it was decided it was a Sparrowhawk. Slowly the bird count was increasing and included Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Bullfinch. Another bird of prey, this one flapping quickly, was recorded as a Hobby. Later a distant feeding Raven was identified as a Buzzard when it took off. A total of 28 species were seen. Many thanks to Jean for leading. Beth Yates

Ten people met early at this decommissioned nuclear power station on the Severn Estuary north of Thornbury, on a day that got rapidly hotter. We circled the northerly dry lagoon (Lagoon 2) with bordering large trees and some secretive side paths, then entered the open estuary embankment with the lovely sight of a flock of 20 Ringed Plovers, nine Dunlins and a Turnstone wheeling and landing along the foreshore – more Turnstones also camping out on a far buoy. We continued past the power station and back to the raised south dry lagoon (Lagoon 3) overlooking a large lake, and through a meadow and orchard. We saw or heard Canada Goose, Moorhen, Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and four Green Woodpecker, Swallows, a Little Egret perched in a tree, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, and three Bullfinches calling as they flew over. Pete’s keen eyes picked out a young Peregrine hiding in the shade of a pylon strut. Total species was 36. Many thanks to Pete, whose patch this is, for leading.  Lois Pryc