Field trip reports

Twenty-one members met in the middle of the second heatwave of the summer; fortunately we would spend most of our time in the shade of the trees. My expectation of sightings was low due to the heat and time of year but we ended up with a surprisingly good list and some treats. In the first stretch of woodland Alan said he could hear Tree Creeper and possible Coal Tit. The Merlin bird app confirmed Treecreeper but suggested Marsh Tit. Multiple pairs of eyes scanning the trees eventually confirmed the app was right. Well done technology! (Although Cetti’s Warbler further along the path had to be a mis-identification). Our little patch of trees proved full of birds: a family of Marsh Tit, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatches and a Spotted Flycatcher. Juvenile Robins foraged along the edge of the path and a Stock Dove called from above. Typical of woodland, our purple patch was followed by stretches devoid of birds until our next lucky spot where we had another Flycatcher and calling Bullfinch. Buzzard was our only raptor. 21 species in total. (Thanks Al for leading.) Alastair Fraser

Goldcliff is a separate and more informal part of the Newport Wetlands on the Bristol Channel coast, consisting of three shallow lagoons / scrapes and a series of small hides. Wet areas are fenced and the reserve is noted for Lapwing and Avocet breeding – though sadly some breached fencing meant little success this year owing to the predations of Fox and Otter. 17 people met on a hot day, to find that unsurprisingly the Monks and Becks lagoons were dry though the southerly Priors lagoon was still reasonably full. There we found Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal (in deep eclipse), Moorhen, Little Grebe, Lapwing, a surprising count of 153 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Grey Heron, a stately Great White Egret, and nine Little Egrets; while abundant Sand Martins with Swallows and House Martins hunted overhead. On the more dried-out areas were Stonechat families, two early Whinchats and a Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Linnet and Reed Bunting. (Ringed Plover had been seen a few days before.) Hedgerows and trees held an abundance of small birds, including Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher. Climbing the sea embankment above the foreshore, we could see flocks of moulting Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Curlews and gulls including a Great Black-backed; and overhead flew Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, a brightly yellow-headed female Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Raven, and small groups of Cormorants. Altogether we had a surprisingly productive morning with a total of 45 species – many thanks to Jane for leading. Lois Pryce

The forecast was for a rather drizzly morning, but 17 of us met in the pretty village of Hillesley. The first field we went through yielded several Whitethroats, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and a huge flock of Linnets. A great start! We moved into open farmland and watched a solo gull quartering a ploughed field. After a period of debate and pondering, we decided it was a somewhat unseasonal Common Gull. As we walked through a small wood, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Long-Tailed Tits were seen. We joined the Cotswold Way, and along a wooded path we heard ‘mewing’ calls; the source was found to be two Sparrowhawks. We passed through the village of Alderley, and out into a shallow valley. There we heard Ravens calling, and watched House Martins flying over distant trees while Swallows dashed low across the fields. It was another pleasant Tuesday walk, through varied countryside, and the rain held off until the last few minutes. In total we saw and/or heard 43 species. Thanks to Graham for leading, to Alan and Nick for keeping the records, and to all present for their great company. Tim Fell

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