Field trip reports

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

26 intrepid birders met at Tanners Close for this morning only meeting. For Marshfield the conditions were good with a temperature of two degrees, clear sky and no wind. Following the usual route down the track and over the fields we saw and heard Skylarks, with a few Yellowhammers around the paddock and Stonechat on the fence. There were plentiful numbers of Fieldfares with the odd Redwing over the adjacent fields. A Buzzard perched nearby and did attempt to hunt a Fieldfare unsuccessfully. A large flock of Skylarks flew over the stubble and landed disappearing into the stalks. At Rushmead Lane we had good views of a dozen Corn Buntings resting in the top of a tree with a single Yellowhammer. A Kestrel was perched on the barn as we passed. A pair of Red – legged Partridges were surprisingly tolerant of our presence and we had distant views of a large mixed flock of mainly Yellowhammers, with some Linnets, Corn Buntings and Chaffinches. Probably the most memorable aspect of the morning was the sheer abundance of Fieldfares. In all 26 species were seen. Thanks to Alan Daniells for the list of species. (Thanks to Sue for leading) Sue Kempson

On a chilly, cloudy day 22 members met at the Crown in Churchill for a walk over Dolebury Warren. As we set off up the slope from the pub car park Jackdaws were in the trees along with Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Wren and the first of several Robins. A solitary Greenfinch was seen by some and a small flock of Goldfinches and a Coal Tit. A couple of raucous Jays and quieter Great Spotted Woodpecker showed. Beyond the hillfort we passed through a small wood and saw a couple of Ravens overhead and a Sparrowhawk in the distance over Rowberrow Forest. We paused for coffee and one eagle-eyed member, with the aid of a telescope, picked out Meadow Pipits in the tussocky grass and also a Stonechat. Returning back towards the hillfort three Buzzards were circling overhead. As we descended though Rowberrow Bottom a few Long-tailed Tits flitted about the trees. A Goldcrest was spotted in a conifer along with Blue Tits and Great Tits. Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, and Mistle Thrush were also seen. In all we saw 30 species. (Thanks to Mark for leading). Mark Watson 

Twenty five walkers met at the White Horse, Hambrook, on a mild overcast but dry day. Beyond the car park, we met the Frome, and from the old bridge, watched our first Dipper of the day. We followed the Frome Valley Walkway to a road bridge, below which were Mallard and Moorhen. Then we saw Blue and Great Tits, Robin, Dunnock and Goldcrest in a garden with feeders. As we walked along the riverside road Green Woodpeckers were calling and Song Thrushes singing. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen. At the next bridge there were two more Dippers, one doing its underwater feeding, and a Grey Wagtail on the rocks. In woodland we had Jay, Magpies, Jackdaws, a Nuthatch and nine Long-tailed tits and three Coal Tits. Winter thrushes included 75 Redwings and one Fieldfare. Overhead we had a Buzzard, a Raven and a Sparrowhawk. In the hedgerow trees we saw seven Greenfinches, not a common sight these days, and lots of Goldfinches (28 in total). Altogether 38 species were spotted. (Thanks to Joyce and Kate for leading). Kate Cashmore

A slightly earlier start than normal for 13 members including the leader but it was worth it. Our route took us up Dagg’s Lane Drove and over to London Drove. Along the way we visited a number of hides with varying success but avoided The Mire as it was flooded. The weather was benign although there was a little sun and in total the group recorded 59 species The best total count was 800 Wigeon. Shoveler came in at 100. The Lapwings were displaying well in their flocks as were the Golden Plovers with total counts at 500 and 50 respectively. My highlights were the Siskin and Redpoll so my thanks to the eagle-eyed spotter. There was also a lovely pair of Goosanders earlier in the morning and a large flock of Cattle Egrets (51). Water Rail was heard but not seen. It was a great morning and many thanks to Nigel for his leadership. Beth Yate

17 members turned out on a cold and windy morning for a dual site trip. The first was Hengrove Mounds, a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) cared for by Avon Wildlife Trust. The mounds are doughnut shaped and we were able to walk around the rim. The birds were not impressed with the weather but by the end of the visit the group had recorded 72 birds covering twelve species. The second site, Manor Woods a short drive away was more productive though by then the wind had dropped and the sun was emerging. We were able to increase the bird species to 23 including a pair of Teal. Thanks to Graham for leading, and introducing many of us to a new site. Beth Yates

The climb through the woods south of the river was noisy – the wind thrashing the trees and the River Frome gushing over the weirs. SO it was only a few tits, Woodpigeons and Crows in the tops, with the cackle of a Magpie and the squawk of a Jay being all we could hear. As 13 of us wandered along we were quickly overhauled by the walking group we’d met in the car park, where we had started the count with a Coal Tit and a party of Long-tailed Tits. Our coffee stop, as usual, was taken in Vassals Park but added, on our way, 50 Starlings, the first of our three Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Song Thrush and a vast train (40+) of airborne Jackdaw to the list. Alas no Kingfisher on the journey downstream, but we did find two pairs of Grey Wagtails, eking out a living around the man-made detritus littering the river. Finally, a few Mallards, mostly hauled out on logs, feet just clear of the torrent, a singing Mistle Thrush and one Grey Heron roosting in low branches. We didn’t see any finches at all during the day but the total of 27 species was not too bad. (Thanks to Nick for leading). Nick Hawkridge

Herons Green, Chew Valley Lake, on an overcast cold morning, was the venue for 22 of us to meet for a walk over Breach Hill and down past Blagdon Lake and the Ubley hatchery. Before setting out we saw a pair of Goldeneyes, two dabchicks, and a flyover Cattle Egret. As we climbed the lane we passed a field full of Redwings and Fieldfares, the first of several flocks. A Bullfinch flew over, and there were Chaffinches, House Sparrows, Collared Doves, and Pied Wagtail at the farm. Our coffee break was special with mince pies and ginger biscuits made by Elaine Landen, who had even provided cream and brandy butter! Mark Watson was presented with the Club’s Robin Prytherch award, a Pied-billed Grebe paperweight, for his work as our long-time Tuesday walk organiser. Walking on we heard and saw two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch, and two Treecreepers. Other highlights included Green Woodpecker, Jay, four Ravens, a Goldcrest, a second Bullfinch, and two Linnets. Back at Chew Lake a Common Sandpiper and a Stonechat were spotted by a lucky few. A total of 49 species. Nine of us adjourned to the Blue Bowl for lunch where our new Tuesday organiser, Graham Blacker, looked forward to many more walks in the New Year. (Thanks to Sue, John and Elaine). Sue Prince