Field trip reports

A rather bitter wind greeted the twenty two members at Frampton. The route includes several lakes, hedgerow, woodland and open arable fields. Smaller birds were keeping their heads down in the keen wind and proved hard to find but we saw or heard a surprising number of Chiffchaffs in the woodland. Small groups of Redwing were still around and we found Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Tufted Duck, Coot and Black-headed Gull were on the lakes in good numbers. Four Mandarin (males in full plumage) were a surprise as was a pair of Coots with three young chicks. Great Crested and Little Grebe, Canada and Greylag Geese and two Oystercatchers were also listed. A tree known to house a Tawny Owl, unfortunately, had blown down in the gales. (Thanks to Alastair for leading). Alastair Fraser

On a chilly, overcast morning with a moderate north-east wind, a dozen members gathered at the raptor lookout at New Fancy View. The first to arrive were treated to a wonderful view of a pair of Crossbill in the top of a pine just yards away. Siskin chased each other over the valley but never came close. The only Goshawk – distant and high as usual – was picked out by just a few but we all saw soaring Buzzards and a Raven. On to Nagshead where Robins were shouting at each other all over the forest but little else seemed to be moving, just Blue and Great Tits and Wrens for most of the walk. Eventually a Nuthatch showed well but Treecreeper proved elusive, and Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker remained “heard only”. An unexpected Peregrine circling over the treetops gave good views. Back at Parkend four Mistle Thrush gleamed silver in sunshine on the cricket pitch but Hawfinch failed to appear. At the Stone Firm on the lower Cannop Pond birds were far more numerous. The water held Canada and Greylag Geese, at least a dozen Mandarin, four Tufted Duck and nine Goosander as well as Mallard, Coot and Moorhen. Four tit species including Marsh were scoffing a supply of sunflower seeds on a log, joined by a Nuthatch. A Grey Wagtail fed in the stream and a Goldcrest showed in a fir tree. A final stop at the upper pond added three Little Grebe and a Mute Swan to the list, and several members found Brambling nearby. Between us we saw more than 40 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading). Jane Cumming

Despite being an overcast morning with a chill wind and mediocre weather forecast 26 people mustered at New Fancy View, hopeful of seeing Goshawk, Crossbill and whatever else. Goshawks are notoriously elusive, hunt within the tree cover and it wasn’t the weather for the spring display flight, so we weren’t optimistic. At the viewpoint, facing straight into the wind and getting steadily colder, some people got quite expressive, or even drifted off muttering about having their coffee back in their cars. One or two Crossbill flew over, some Goldfinch and some Siskin. We saw Ravens where we thought a Goshawk ought to be, then a Buzzard, then two more Buzzards. Eventually though, we did see a male Crossbill which posed in front of us like a field guide illustration. Then finally, for those who had waited, a Goshawk, a little way off, but very definitely what we had been looking for. Chilled, we drove close to Speech House, where a log had been made into a feeder for plenty of small and medium sized passerines, and signs everywhere of boar activity. We didn’t see a Hawfinch but two people had seen and photographed one in Parkend churchyard on their way over. That marked the end of the morning but those of us who had brought lunches went on to Cannop Ponds, and after eating, saw, among others 30 plus Mandarin, six Goosander, a pair of Raven being pestered by crows and more evidence of porcine activity. Very many thanks to Nick for leading. Dru Brooke-Taylor

This walk began inauspiciously with a low tide and the news that Dowlais Lane was closed until 1st April, so rather than follow the usual route down to the River Kenn roost, we started with a walk over Wains Hill to look for woodland species until the tide rose a bit. There was plenty of song from Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins and Greenfinch, and we came across a confiding Song Thrush and a mixed tit flock. From the headland in wonderful light we admired a group of nine Goosanders feeding below us along the tideline, and picked out a scattering of Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank. Back at the Pill we walked round to the sluice counting three Stonechats on the marsh, Mallard and a Little Egret in the Pill, nine Wigeon on the sea and lots of gulls, mainly Black-headed, on the mud. Golden legs gleamed on the Lesser Black-back Gulls in the sunshine, so we stopped to study with interest an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull paddling for worms on the golf course with pinkish or possibly pale yellow legs – definitely not golden, so an interesting anomaly. Two spots high in the sky resolved themselves into Peregrines, and as we watched they landed on the high radio masts, then set off again to soar around the clouds together. A Buzzard seemed quite pedestrian by comparison. We logged a couple of Moorhens on the River Yeo, a Rock Pipit on the shore, and finally a Skylark in glorious song over the golf course. Only six walkers saw 33 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading) Jane Cumming

Nine of us met on a cold, windy morning, thinking that maybe a lie in followed by a leisurely breakfast would have been a better idea. We watched a group of Oystercatchers sheltering from the wind, whilst we thought about the best course of action. The sight of a woman in just a bathing costume (and gloves!) splashing around in the churning brown surf of the Severn Estuary made us think that we’d probably be okay to do a bit of birding, and so we bravely ventured onwards. We headed towards the Bleadon Levels, across exposed fields, being grateful for any shelter provided by the mature hedgerows. Most birds were keeping their heads down, but a good variety of common species were seen. When we reached the Bleadon Levels Nature Reserve, the highlight from the hide was a solitary Mute Swan, so we headed back towards Uphill along the path overlooking the saltmarsh. This yielded Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Teal and we had fantastic views of numerous Skylarks in full song. As we returned to Uphill, the sun came out and I’m happy to report that there were still nine (happy) birders. A very respectable total of 34 species were seen. Thanks to Colin for kindly stepping in as walk leader. Tim Fell

The wind roared, the rain poured, but despite the appalling weather six birders had gathered at Tockington playing field to await the leader! Never say bird watchers are not up for a challenge! We set off in good heart, noting several gulls (Common and Black-headed) on the playing field, plus a Magpie and Robin, a good start. The horses galloped around outside the cricket pitch as we crossed the pitch and cautiously descended the hill down into Tockington. The school pond had its resident Moorhen and the school playing fields provided food for Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Herring Gulls. Several Woodpigeons appeared as we crossed the fields, with a flock of Jackdaws, and then suddenly a host of beautiful Chaffinches, at least 30, feeding on the ground and then giving us a flypast; good to see so many after a long relative absence. Following this our spirits lifted further as a Song Thrush and then a Skylark were heard and seen. Nick inspected the normally tiny pond at the base of the fields, and although finding it fuller than it had ever been, lacked birds, so we entered the woods for a wet coffee stop. The very slippery paths through the wood successfully negotiated, a Buzzard was heard, as well as various passerines. We opted at last for a shortcut to bring to an end, what must be the wettest walk in BOC history. Despite that, a total of 16 species were counted. (Thanks to Sue for leading) Sue Black

21 set off across fields, quickly finding good numbers of House Sparrows, Woodpigeons, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Starlings, Greenfinches, Redwings, and Gulls above – Black-headed, Common and Lesser Black-backed . The first of several Bullfinches was heard and a Song Thrush found the highest view point. We passed two donkeys before climbing Sandford Hill. Four Ravens “churred” overhead. Long-tailed Tits accompanied us upwards in the woods where a Jay was heard. A deer took fright, leapt a six foot fence from standing, and bounded away. Some of the group diverted for the view over the quarry’s cliff edge towards the Bristol Channel, hoping for a Peregrine. Meantime the remainder enjoyed a coffee stop seeing a Buzzard and Mendip views plus Crook Peak, Bridgwater Bay and beyond. Together again, a flock of Linnets did a ‘fly-by’ as we dropped to the valley. We saw Green Woodpecker, and a group which included three Siskins, two Goldcrests, several Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and a passing Sparrowhawk. After watching rooting black pigs in Winterhead, we returned via Sidcot and completed the circuit with a tally of 36 species. (Thanks to Sue for leading) Sue Watson

23 members joined the coach. Fields through Somerset and Devon held scores to hundreds of gulls, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Canada and Brent Geese, and a Pochard in a pond. First stop Dawlish Warren front for a high tide sea watch, seeing Gannets, Great Crested Grebe, Turnstone, Cormorants and Shags, and a flock of eleven Common Scoter nicely visible flying and swimming. Next the lane through Exminster Marshes, seeing Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, with many of the beautifully-plumaged Teal, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwits allowing surprisingly close views. A Marsh Harrier was regularly putting up the birds, and for some most excitingly, two Spoonbills – an adult with juvenile showing its pinkish bill. The lane ends at the canal, with views through to the estuary where we could glimpse hundreds of Avocets. Then to Powderham (teased by two Little Egrets in a field of cattle, as we searched hard for reported Cattle Egrets) where the estuary tide was low; finding two Red-breasted Merganser just visible in the narrowed river, and Great Black-backed Gulls on the mud. Hundreds of Brent Geese flew chatting softly to each other as they joined Canada Geese, a Bar-headed Goose and other water birds in adjacent fields with a scattering of small birds included Grey Wagtails, Linnets, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting, and a Buzzard and Kestrel. Total 69 species. (Thanks to Jane for leading) Lois Pryce

26 people gathered at Lansdown Park and Ride. Keen eyes picked up a distant Mistle Thrush as we crossed the road to the racecourse. The weather was better than expected with some sun and blue sky but we battled with a strong west wind along the track; then up to the golf course to be greeted by a tame Stonechat and a fine flock of Golden Plover in the sky. Entering the woods gave shelter with a fallen tree for our coffee stop seating; great for small birds, too. Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Nuthatch were the stars among the more common birds. From the woods to the Fire Station, watched by a perched Buzzard, gave sight of a Starling flock with a few more winter Thrushes and a few Long-tailed Tits to make the Tit species up to the usual four. This put us on the Cotswold Way, which we followed to Hanging Hill, giving us more Nuthatch, a Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and fine views. Passing a flock of Jackdaws we returned along the bridleway to the “Golden Plover field”. By 13:00 they were already down roosting. A route across the golf course took us to the Charlcombe Inn. From there most returned directly to the Park and Ride, while a small group of four crossed over to the fields on the Charlcombe side. There we enjoyed watching a lone Common Gull paddling for worms and had excellent views of the surprise bird of the day – a Merlin! Total 34 species and great views of some of them thanks to Alan Daniels sharing his ‘scope, (Thanks to Anne & Graham) Anne Crowe

Instead of one of those misty, moist winter mornings with shafts of sunlight catching the seasonal colours, 25 members set out on a wall to wall grey morning, some of us in hope of seeing the Red Kite which has been spotted in this area on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, it eluded us today. However, before we set out our leader told us this was a lovely walk, and it was, through a varied habitat of housing estate, lanes, open fields and deep tracks with overhanging trees and partly following the 19th century Dramway. Finches were the first birds we saw and we heard many more of them throughout our walk. Tits of every sort were flitting high in the trees and necks were craned trying to follow them, also adding many Corvids to our list. At our coffee stop by the pond 18 Moorhens were spotted along with a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Buzzard all of which showed really well. There was a preening Grey Wagtail under one of the bridges we crossed. In total we saw 30 Species. Thanks to Geoff who did a fine job in leading his first walk for BOC. Graham Blacker