Field trip reports

We met on a sunny morning but at quarter to ten Graham Blacker, our new Tuesday walks organiser, said he had seen a pair of Little Owls further down Mead Lane. To our delight they were still there. We met later arrivals up on the cycle track over the river. Going on two different routes, the hardy ones through the undergrowth, and the rest by the road we met up again at The Shallows. We took a new route going up the green slope above The Shallows to St Mary’s Church and out through the cemetery, where a Mistle Thrush sang to us. Going into the fields we found some Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, lots of Jays and a Green Woodpecker. Moving back across the cycle track onto Avon Lane the group split up again. While taking a late coffee break we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Buzzard and some Starlings. Five stiles later we all met up at Avon Farm, a great place for Long-tailed Tits and a Peregrine. At Swineford weir we saw our first Grey Wagtail, plus some Moorhens. Following the river upstream we saw a Cormorant. Shortly after leaving the river we could look into a pool in the STW where we saw some Mallards and Teal. On to the weir at the ‘Jolly Sailor’ to find the Cormorant again, a Grey Wagtail and another Moorhen. Walking back up Mead Lane we found the Little Owls were still there but now fifty metres apart on the cliff wall, a great bookend to the walk, and two Goldcrest by the cars. 35 species. (Thanks to Robert for leading) Robert Hargreaves

What a lovely day and what fantastic birds and, of course, good company! 14 of us met in the WWT car park and set off for the Quantock hide overlooking Otterhampton Marsh, meanwhile picking up a large flock of 80 Wigeon and 40 Teal in the sky in the distance. The waders here consisted mainly of Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover and 120 Golden Plover looking really gorgeous in the sunshine. Shelduck and Shoveler were on the water and many Lapwing resting on the mud. Seven Spoonbills flew in and sat in a huddle in the middle of a flock of Black-headed Gulls. Later, one of them started to feed and we could watch it sweeping its bill and then raising its head to swallow its catch. We searched for the reported Little Stints but they were hard to find among the Dunlin. Leaving Jane in the hide, we walked on to the Mendip hide. Several Stonechats were perched on the bushes beside the path, flitting off and back again, and there was also a remarkably bright yellow Meadow Pipit and two Chiffchaffs. From the River Parrett path we saw a mass of Canada Geese, some duck, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a Cormorant, all rather distant. On our return to the Quantock hide, Jane had found three Little Stints, also two Grey Plover and a Ruff, so that was time well spent. Lunch was taken in the sunshine on benches beside the car park, then we drove down to the Natural England car park further on and walked on to the viewing point beside the now very full and shining River Parrett. An unusual view was a Buzzard and a Raven sitting together on top of a barn. A distant Marsh Harrier was spotted against the clouds and this was followed by some excellent views of four of them quite close, as well as five Kestrels. Further Meadow Pipits were flying across the track and more Stonechats spotted. Seven Little Egrets were on the edge of the water, two people saw a Cattle Egret, there were several Herons and 20 Lapwing. A Wheatear sat on a fence post, later moving to another post closer to us, showing all its colours, then 20 Black-tailed Godwits appeared. A couple of House Sparrows greeted us back at the car park. A most successful day: many thanks to Richard for leading, to Jane and Jeff for their input and to Alan for creating the bird list. Judy Copeland

The forecast was for variable weather and so it turned out with wind, rain and some sun. As 18 of us set off we heard, then saw, five Coal Tits in the conifers. Robin and a Wren were heard and then, as usual in this habitat, Goldcrest was also heard, followed by a Nuthatch and Blue Tit. Further along the path we added Carrion Crow and then had a very good view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker which stayed for a while, perched on the top of a telegraph pole. Whilst crossing a field we saw six Swallows, presumably making their way south and we then added Goldfinch and House Sparrow to our list. We saw our first Buzzard of the day and then a second group of Hirundinidae, as at least 29 House Martins were seen feeding and also on migration. The next part of the route, along a coombe, was the most adventurous part of the walk as, due to the heavy overnight rain, there was more water in the brook than expected. The path was quite treacherous in places. Needless to say, we did not spot many birds on this section, apart from one Jay and Jackdaws. Further on we saw a Lesser Black-backed Gull and then a few of the group had a fleeting view of a Sparrowhawk. Towards the end of the walk a Chiffchaff was heard and as we traversed a field, we saw some Meadow Pipits and as they flew up out of the long grass, we realised there were over 40 birds giving us a nice spectacle. A total of 32 species were seen or heard. Thank you very much to Nick Hawkridge for leading the walk at short notice and for providing a list of the birds. Mike Landen

It was an overcast morning as 17 of us met by St. Peter’s Church. As we were about to set off a Great Spotted      Woodpecker was seen and we heard House Sparrows.  Walking past the allotments we saw a Blue Tit and a few Woodpigeons.  As we came to open countryside we saw Carrion Crow and about 13 Rooks calling loudly from the trees.  We soon added Jay, Magpie and Great Tit and walking alongside the river we had a fleeting view of a Grey Wagtail, and a Song Thrush was seen.  We then saw about ten Goldfinch and two more Great Spotted Woodpeckers.  A party of 14 Long-tailed Tits were seen, flying in a long ‘string’ and we found four more Goldfinches, a Chaffinch and a Blackbird.  Two Mallards were spotted in the river and one member of the group was fortunate to see a Kingfisher.  At the coffee stop three Little Egrets were found and quite a number of Starlings flew past.  As we continued, we had good views of a hovering Kestrel and heard a Green Woodpecker.  We then had a much better view of a Grey Wagtail.   We approached a derelict old barn hoping to find a Little Owl.  There was one in the barn but it flew out from a hole in the side wall, rather than the huge hole in the front wall and so was only seen by two or three of us.  We added Buzzard to the list but, as we began the last section of the walk, it started to rain very heavily and so we only added a single Lesser Black-backed Gull at the end.  Although the weather was poor it was an enjoyable walk in a nice area.  A total of 34 species were seen or heard. Thank you very much to Mike for leading the walk and to Nick for providing a list of the birds.       Mike Landen

Nine members met at Goldcliff on another pleasant, sunny morning.  We welcomed one new member to their first field meeting.  The first pool, Monk’s Lagoon, was really bare, the best being a Wheatear and some distant Godwits and Dunlins, and a large flock of Lapwings in the sky.  The tide was due in at eleven so we were in a hurry to get to the sea wall, only stopping briefly at the other hides on the way.  We had a good variety of ducks including Pintail and Wigeon and two Little Grebes.  There were a few remaining Meadow Pipits around from the 7,000 that were seen on an early vismig watch that morning.  At the seawall the tide was already fully in so not much to see.   Moving on to the last hide we started seeing Stonechat, my first of the autumn.  In the hide there was talk of a Pectoral Sandpiper but it had not been seen all morning, but there was a Ruff, some Snipe and a Green Sandpiper.  A young Marsh Harrier was eating a meal on our left.  A man who had been there four hours finally found the Pectoral Sandpiper which was difficult to see in the reeds.    There was also a Curlew Sandpiper.  In the pools on the way back we found two more among lots of Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits.  After lunch an exploration of the west area of the Marshes found Snipe in the chine, a Sparrowhawk scudding past, and on the mudflats some Curlew and Shelduck at last, then Redshank, a Greenshank and an Avocet.  Still no Ringed Plover so we explored the beach off the point on the East side.  Lots of Gulls, more Curlew and Little Egrets, and then when we had given up, halfway up the beach, some Ringed Plover.  Altogether, 61 species were seen.  Thanks to our leader Robert for leading.    Anne Crowe

20 people met on a warm still day that seemed very quiet but gradually filled with birds – even if only ones and twos of common species – to a total of 37. On the golf course stretch: dozens of Pied Wagtails with a Wheatear and a few Swallows above.  Through the wooded areas: Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Raven, Jay, tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.  At Cadbury Camp: Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, and barely seen in the surrounding trees – a group of Mistle Thrush on autumn berries.  Down on the moor: Stock Dove, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Stonechat and flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch, with a Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher along the Land Yeo river. At our coffee break at Cadbury Camp overlooking the coast, Jan produced chocolate treats she had made to Peter Holbrook’s recipe and those who knew him raised a mental glass to his memory – RIP Peter. (Thanks to Lois and Jan for leading)     Lois Price

Nine had faith that the vagaries of our venue would turn up trumps and despite the weather, it did.  Rook, Crow and Magpie were first to show and then a splendid Stonechat, with one then two Wheatear to follow.  A low flying Sparrowhawk caught someone’s attention, we all saw it eventually. Over at the farm (Culverslade), a Kestrel showed its displeasure by dive bombing a Buzzard that had taken over its roosting tree.  More Wheatear showed as we supped at 11:00 and the Linnet flocks were still haunting the power cables with the wires fairly weighted down with Starlings too.  As we dropped down towards Rushmead Farm a Whinchat was spotted with a Yellowhammer close by and, in a tangle of brambles over bushes, even more Yellowhammer showed really well. We were counting the Yellowhammer, when up popped a Blackcap (m), a Whitethroat, a Wren, some House Sparrow and one skulking Dunnock.  Sauntering back along the lane we heard a call from above, of a whistling, circling wader, possibly Golden Plover (couldn’t identify it positively even at home with the recordings)!  At the brow of the hill, the barn field encircled more than just horses – Pied Wagtail, many Meadow Pipit, more Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail – very nice.  By the time we reached the cars our total was 34 species with the count of Wheatear at ten.  Many thanks for leading Chris.  Nick Hawkridge

It was decided the previous evening that the variety of birds being reported at Bowling Green Marsh was better than at Seaton Wetlands, so we moved the meeting point to Topsham for those who had signed up on Doodle, thereby abandoning three other members who hadn’t let us know that they planned to join the trip.  Anyway, they had a nice day at Black Hole Marsh at Seaton Wetlands watching Greenshank and gulls – a warning for those choosing not to book via Doodle! The official trip left our cars at Darts Farm and walked through Goosemoor towards Bowling Green Marsh.  A bird blind en route produced Teal, a Knot, two Common Sandpipers and a roost of 30 Greenshank.  With the tide high, the marsh at Bowling Green was loaded with Wigeon and Teal, Curlew, Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits. Counting 20 roosting Little Egrets, we soon noticed the bigger bird with thicker black legs – an adult Spoonbill which slept for most of the morning but did show its extraordinary bill from time to time.  Amongst the ducks were smaller numbers of Mallard, Shoveler and Pintails, but no diving ducks – just a Little Grebe.  We struggled to see a sleeping Ruff in long grass but got everyone onto a Whimbrel, a single Dunlin, a few Lapwing and a good scattering of Bar-tailed Godwits amongst the larger Black-tails.  A Kingfisher flashed blue across the back of the pool and stopped in view, balancing on bending reeds.  House Martin and a reported Sand Martin swooped over the water.  After a rewarding couple of hours we walked on to the river platform but the water was still too high for waders there.  A pair of Black Swans out on the estuary (strays from the collection at Dawlish?) looked well out of place, and apart from those we saw only gulls. We moved on in hot sunshine to Aylesbeare Common.  Afternoons aren’t the best time for birding, but we picked out a Stonechat, a Kestrel, a Swallow and a few fly-over Linnet as we wandered around the gorse and heather covered hillside.  Down by the woods at the bottom of the hill we watched a family of Siskin.  A loop back up to the top produced Coal Tit, Spotted Flycatcher and a lot more Stonechat. The final total was 43 species.  Many thanks to Gordon for leading us around some of his favourite sites in East Devon.                                 Jane Cumming

This was a hot day – 27C approximately!  We made for what shade we could find, including a large patch for the coffee break when I handed out cake in memory of Peter Holbrook who used to produce delicious chocolate brownies for his walks.  We started off from the village spotting Starlings on the church tower, House Martins in the distance, and progressed through a family of Long-tailed Tits at the entrance to the wood to a final list of 30 species, seen or heard by Alan but not all of us by any means.  Many Robins were heard (twelve were counted), and at one point a Wren sang well.  In the wood, a Great Spotted, and later a Green Woodpecker, and over the fields Buzzard, Raven and Sparrowhawk.  On the garden feeders at the bottom of Sandy Lane a collection of tits and a Chaffinch, then a party of gulls on a distant field was spotted, only visible to the less tall among us when we progressed up the hill.  Close to the gulls was a Buzzard sitting in a tree.    Blackcap, Goldcrest and Treecreeper were seen or heard, several Jays seen, and a Grey Heron flew over.  During the steep climb up through the second wood towards Failand House Coal Tits were heard and the new bridge constructed a few days earlier by National Trust volunteers was admired.  Then the long walk back. (Thanks to Judy for leading.)   Judy Copeland

Fifteen people met at Herriott’s Bridge on a pleasant sunny morning.  We welcomed two new members to their first field meeting and a guest from the United States.  With water levels fairly low and with the help of ‘scopes, careful searching revealed some waders: two Snipe, two Ruff, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and seven Green Sandpipers.  Among the usual ducks were found a few early Pintail and Wigeon.  A Cetti’s Warbler was heard and one of us caught sight of a Marsh Harrier over the main lake.  A short walk took us to the Chew Valley Ringing Station where our host Mike Bailey gave us a most interesting talk about the work of the Station. Aurora demonstrated ringing on a feisty Blue Tit, a quiet Chiffchaff and two Reed Warblers.  After thanking Mike for an excellent visit, back to Herriott’s to receive news of Black Terns over the main lake.  A few of us saw a Kingfisher at its usual post in the channel.  Moving on to Heron’s Green gave us more waders (four distant Greenshank, one Common Sandpiper) and three Cattle Egret around a Grey Heron and a Great White Egret.  There were quite a few Little Egrets gathered at the other side.  A lucky few had sight of a Whinchat at the back of the pool while a white-headed Buzzard (raising hopes of an Osprey) looked on from the dead tree.  Those who wanted to make a day of it proceeded to Woodford Lodge for a brief lunch break.  On the way out we saw numbers of Black Terns, some swooping in quite close, fabulous!  We next explored Villice Hide, highlights being numbers of Little Grebe and close encounters with a beautiful Hobby.   We ended the day with a visit to Stratford Hide.  Here we had much closer views of Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper, with a Sparrowhawk zipping through.  We were able to count nine Great White Egrets and spot a Marsh Harrier showing well on the far side.  It had been a wonderful day, ending “officially” at 16:30.       Thanks to our leader Robert.                                        Anne Crowe