Field trip reports

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

An intrepid group turned up at Herriott’s Bridge on this cold damp morning. While we hoped to be looking AT Chew Valley Lake, for most of the time we were looking FOR the lake as thick fog rolled in and around. The forecast suggested a brightening later on, but it turned out this must have been a forecast for somewhere else! Nonetheless we had a small but lively group, lots of conversations and even some birds. Unfortunately, the always helpful Mike Bailey was unable to show us the ringing station due to Covid considerations. We left Herriott’s with my encouragement that ‘you might normally see a Marsh Harrier from here’, or ‘there are several lovely Pintails at the back in the mist’. We moved on to Stratford Hide. Initially it was very quiet and grey, but eventually we saw the best birds here with views of the superbly camouflaged Jack Snipe in the reeds, nice if brief views of two Bearded Tits, a Water Rail in flight and a Green Sandpiper that landed right in front of us, before flying off with great views of the white rump. We moved on to Herons Green Bay, watching two dabchicks on the small pool opposite while I explained the demise of most of the breeding dabchicks due especially to predation by Pike, along with other predators of duck species like the Great Black-backed Gull which are relatively new to the lake. The final spot was going to the end of Nunnery Point – ‘you would normally get great views of the whole lake from here’ I pleaded, while any thoughts of looking for the diver that had been around were abandoned. Thanks to everyone, and especially Alan who spotted many that I missed. We did manage though to see 54 species in our short morning. Imagine however, going to Chew at this time of year and not seeing a Heron, Egret or any birds of prey! (Thanks to John for leading) John Rossetti

We started in rain but finished, thankfully, without rain. The lake was only marginally wetter – it did however contain the usual mix of Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Black-headed Gull. They were all nicely concentrated around a local lady, who arrived on a red mobility scooter with what looked like the contents of a bakery. Up past the lido and down to Battery Point where another local pointed out the stars of the walk – five Purple Sandpipers – lovely looking birds. Even with the weak light the yellow of the legs was quite striking, except in one individual where they looked ‘dirty’ grey. The fresh wind chilled us, so were glad to climb into East Wood and find a mixed flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits with a couple of Blackbird alarm calling. Down to the Life Boat Station, where in its lee, a cup of coffee staved off the cold. Walking on around the marina we spied three Dunlins, one Shelduck, 25 Mallards all on the newly exposed mud and two Cormorants fishing the shallow end of the dock. Up past some grand houses and back to the park above the boating lake, where there was an abundance of Goldfinches, Carrion Crows, a hedge full of House Sparrows and a call from a Dunnock. Eight walkers and 28 species – which just about covered our costs!! Our thanks must go to Geoff for turning out and leading. Nick Hawkridge

The wind was strong and the drizzle heavy as 18 members set off alongside the Reservoir. We saw six Tufted Ducks on the rough water and six Great Crested Grebes, and a Cormorant on a buoy. A few Pied Wagtails were in the paddock below us. Coot numbers were high with well over 1200 estimated and a few Black-headed Gulls flew over. We retreated from the windblown reservoir edge down to a drove leading to the Yeo. Along the way Redwing were in the hedgerow and a Little Egret was seen in the adjacent fields, the first of about nine seen on the walk, as well as a Grey Heron on a rhyne bank. A Sparrowhawk flew over and a Raven was on the ground. As we moved along beside the Yeo a sharp pair of eyes saw Great White Egret half hidden in the distant rhyne. Later we had an excellent view of a Great White and a Little Egret near each other which made clear the difference in size. Approaching Axbridge, Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinches, a Goldcrest, and a single Fieldfare appeared. Our return to the reservoir yielded a Red-crested Pochard. Three Grey Wagtails entertained us with their sparring near to the path on our return to the car park. The species total was 36. (Thanks to Mark for leading.) Mark Watson

We gathered in bright sunshine, belying the freezing air temperature. First stop was the feeding station where the usual suspects gave us some easy ticks. In the extensive reed beds we immediately targeted Bearded Tit but none showed for us despite checking every little brown job we saw which were invariably Reed Bunting. Little Grebe, Mallard and Starling all appeared, a Water Rail squealed and Cetti’s Warbler delivered invitations for us to look harder. With the tide still low we made out distant Shelduck, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Grey Plover and Curlew from our vantage point, where a showy male Stonechat alighted on the Spartina. We entered the small woodland to find a flock of Long-tailed Tits with a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest, among other common tits. A Redwing feeding on haws next to the path gave a full demonstration of field markings and calls as we watched from only metres away. With the tide now higher our return to the coast produced Shoveler and Redshank. We finished with a couple of Gadwalls and a Teal giving us a total of 43 species. Thanks to the six members who contributed to a pleasant morning. (Thanks to Mike for leading.) Mike Jackson

The mist and cold stayed with us all day, but being well coated and gloved it meant nothing to 24 walkers at Hawkesbury Upton. The Chaffinches, Starlings and House Sparrows that decorated the roofs and TV aerials in the village were keeping strange company – a Common Gull, so close that views of all its characteristic markings were plain to see. The power lines were being examined by helicopter as we walked along Sandpits Lane. A good outcome was the flocks of Golden Plovers and Lapwings that were flushed by its passing but a shame we couldn’t hear a blooming thing when it made several passes. After stopping by Bodkin Hazel Wood for coffee we watched corvids, plovers, pigeons and winter thrushes swirling above the trees, frantically trying to elude a hungry Peregrine. A little further along the track Long-tailed, Blue, Great and Marsh Tits were seen, plus a copse full of Chaffinches, a couple of Corn Buntings and eight Yellowhammers. With the count of winter thrushes nearing the 100’s it was good to get close up views from within Horton Court Woods, which also contained Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle and Song Thrushes and a couple of flighty Bullfinches. The last count was near the cricket ground – c20 Golden Plovers, roosting with a fringe of Fieldfares and Redwings. Our final tally was 40 species. (Many thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge