Field trip reports

17 club members gathered at the new starting point for this walk, with access to Eastville Park along a footpath from Elmgrove Road in Thingwall Park. The weather was dull and overcast but the rain held off. As we entered the park we soon had Blackbird, Great Tit, Jay and Carrion Crow sighted. Looking across the valley we saw the spire of Stapleton Church and a grand view of two Peregrines perched on the side. We walked down to Fishponds Brook where we heard Blackbird and Robin calling. The walk took us along footpaths meandering through the estate where we saw more Jay, Raven, Blue Tit and Wren. We then headed towards Snuff Mills and Duchess Pond. Here, with the steady roar of traffic as accompaniment, we saw Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and a raptor in the distance being hassled by Crows. A Stonechat was busy fluttering up and down from among the thistles, fly catching. We sighted another Stonechat a bit further along, also busy feeding. As we rounded the far pond into a field we watched a spectacular display of aerial flight by two Peregrines. There was a flurry of feathers as one dived down for a Pigeon but seemed to have missed as he had no bird clutched in his talons. Walking back towards the Mill we saw a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits, and a busy chattering from the shrubs came from a charm of Goldfinch. A Grey Heron was poised in the River Frome, and later we also spotted Grey Wagtail. Our keen eyed leader managed to glimpse the Kingfisher although the rest of us missed it. At the lake a Sparrowhawk burst through a throng of pigeons sending them clamouring and flapping up into the air, but all survived. Black-headed Gulls, Cormorants, Mallards and Coot were on the lake, and another silent, motionless Heron stood among reeds in a corner. A large flock of Jackdaw flew above us as we left the pond to head back to the starting point. 34 species recorded. Thanks to Richard for leading and Nick and Alan for keeping the bird list. Di Bunnis

Over 30 club members attended this morning’s circular walk around the wetland habitats of the RSPB reserve on a dry calm day. Looking across the reed-bed and open water a good variety of ducks were present including Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal. Amongst a noisy flock of Lapwings were around 30 Black-tailed Godwits and small groups of flying Snipe. Great White and Little Egrets were scattered around and a distant group of 19 Egrets in a field turned out to be Cattle Egret. On the edge of a ditch a Grey Heron had caught a rather large Pike which it eventually managed to swallow much to the disappointment of three Crows who were hoping for some left over bits. A backdrop of sound was provided by singing Cetti’s Warblers and squealing Water Rails. Bearded Tits were heard and seen by one lucky observer. At the Avalon hide a Kingfisher flashed by. At least five Marsh Harriers including two males flew low over the reeds giving some good views. Two Sparrowhawks were seen including a perched bird which gave good scope views. The woodland and scrub areas held good numbers of mixed Tit flocks and amongst them were up to six Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was perched at the top of a bare tree with another seen in flight. Only a few Redwings were seen, feeding with Blackbirds in hawthorns, but no Fieldfares. The odd perched Buzzard was the only raptor seen in this habitat. Around 50 species were seen. (Thanks to Jeff for leading, Ed). Jeff Holmes.

Thirty-one members met at Slimbridge on a cold and damp morning. We set of towards the Robbie Garnett hide and being a large group split between the hides towards the Tower Hide to avoid overcrowding. On this part of the reserve we saw Shoveler, Lapwing, Mallard, Goosander, three Snipe and many Teal, Tufted Ducks and Wigeon. The strong wind discouraged small birds on the feeders but Blue Tit and House Sparrow braced the conditions. A male and female Pintail were amongst the throng and a few Berwick’s Swans were on the water’s edge on one of the pools near some Redshanks, and a Kestrel was out hunting. We moved on toward the Zeiss Hide seeing a Grey Heron and a couple of Little Egrets flying over. The wind made the Zeiss hide pretty chilly but we added White-fronted Goose, Common Gull, large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plovers and Dunlin in the middle distance. Five Pink-footed Geese on the edge of the Severn occasionally came into view. Knot and Ruff were also present in good numbers as were Coot and also a couple of Moorhens. We moved on to the Kingfisher Hide. Here we had clear views of two Barnacle Geese and the feeders were in use by Blue, Great, and Long-tailed Tits, and a Nuthatch. Several Curlew were on the wet meadows and just before we left the hide two Kingfishers put on an excellent display a few yards away to round off an enjoyable, if cold, visit. A total of 49 species were seen. (Thanks to Mark for leading, Ed). Mark Watson.

Our walk set off from the village (with 23 members), in cool, cloudy conditions but little wind. We headed down the first grassy field, passing House Sparrow, Jackdaw and where a flock of 300 Woodpigeons whirled away in flight. A further field provided Meadow Pipit and the first Magpie, before a path between trees and bushes enabled us to surprise Wren, Robin and Chaffinch. On into a wide, hedge lined lane with many corvids in the muddy field alongside where small flocks of Fieldfares, a few Redwings and a Roe Deer were near the orchard at its end. Passing the nearby donkeys a Raven was heard, and a beautifully blue winged Jay sat on an open branch, where we started up Sandford Hill. (Several more Jays were seen later). Passing the preserved evidence of Italian POWs in the area we climbed steadily through the wood, where Long-tailed Tits flitted about and we were amazed to find a group of four Goldcrests interacting. Having left the wood, the sun had emerged and we enjoyed wide views over the valley and south west to Bridgwater Bay and Hinkley Point. We had heard Bullfinches but now found more. We saw two flying Stock Doves and Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, as well as several Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the lower fields. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard nearby! Onward to mixed habitat where two more deer leapt a fence in retreat from us. The walk seemed to be enjoyed by all and a final two Jays at the village edge gave us a tally of 37 birds. (Thanks to Sue for leading, Ed). Sue Watson

Fourteen members, including two on their first meeting, enjoyed a sunny Sunday at this RSPB reserve. At the feeding station just outside the visitor centre the activity simply wouldn’t stop. We quickly got our first 30 species including Little Grebe, Water Rail, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, and Reed Bunting. On the way to the ‘Wetlands Experience’ trail, we came across Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, and a beautiful Little Egret perched high in a tree. We then walked along the estuary to look out for wading birds within the saltmarshes and mudflats. It was very enjoyable to observe flocks of species including Oystercatcher (52), Lapwing (65) and Curlew (70plus). A large flock of Dunlin was seen in the distance. Several species of duck were present as well, including Shelduck, Shoveler, Wigeon and Mallard. We were accompanied during the whole trip by an astonishing number of Stonechats and Cetti’s Warblers. The latter always seeming to be so close, but unspottable. On the way back to the visitor centre, we saw a Mistle Thrush, in order to complete our thrushes collection for the day. In total 51 species were seen at Newport Wetlands that morning. Keith Williams and others carried on at Goldcliff in the afternoon and added another 16 species including Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Snipe and Peregrine. Thanks a lot Mike for leading us! Adèle Remazeilles

The autumn weather stayed dry and cool as the group gathered for this walk through the Blaise estate. We passed by the mansion and took a short lane to the churchyard where a lone Mistle Thrush was seen perched high above us. From there we took the path out and through the short tunnel to emerge in Henbury field where sharp eyes spotted a Goldcrest darting among the branches. The trees along the field edge looked splendid in their autumn colours. Taking the path down to the mill, more birds were seen including Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits and two Goldcrest, whilst a bold Robin watched us with curiosity. On the edge of the stream was a Grey Wagtail, blending well with the background but showing a flash of yellow as it hopped from one stone to another. Following a climb to the castle (taken slowly, as it is quite steep) we arrived in time to find a perch and enjoy our coffee break where two Rooks were seen and heard. A flock of Redwing then flew overhead. I believe a flock was seen earlier in the walk… possibly this was the same group? Rested and refreshed we followed the path which eventually took us to the cobbled drive leading down to the top of Grove Road, which runs parallel with the woods. A little track led past a field with donkeys and back into the woods. Raven, Jay, Wren, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest had all been heard or seen by this point. Another Grey Wagtail was spotted in the stream and a flock of Long-tailed Tits in the trees. On the final stretch back to the parking area we heard the distinct call of a Tawny Owl. A total of 25 species were recorded. Many thanks to Nick for keeping the bird record. (Thanks to Di for leading) Di Bunniss

30 members met on a radiantly warm day to walk Tickenham’s moors and wooded ridge. This was nearly a month later than our usual walk date, so it was interesting to see the differences in birds found. This included a flyover Fieldfare and Redwing, Tit flocks in the woods with Blue, Great, Coal, Marsh and Long-tailed, as well as Nuthatch, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, plenty of Jays – and a Bullfinch which we rarely see. And on the partially flooded moors – a flock of 120 Black-headed Gulls with 40 Lapwings flying higher with a few Dunlins. Other birds in the lowlands included Mute Swans, Little Egret, Rooks, Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail, Stonechats and Chaffinch, while Ravens, Buzzards and a Kestrel flew above. A total of 38 species. (Thanks to Lois and Jan for leading.) Lois Pryce

A fat, puffed up Woodpigeon was dozing on a TV aerial, when its reverie was disturbed by the settling of 15 Starlings, exit stage left – one pigeon. The Starling count (43) was only bettered by Common Gull; c140. As the road climbed slightly, more and more gulls were revealed, all searching for food in the pasture. Linnets, Crows, Jackdaws and a constant flow of Skylark all flew over as we sauntered along part of Marshfield Track. Our attention was drawn to a bush, upon which sat a little bird. The ideas as to its parentage were varied, until finally our intrepid treasurer slunk across behind a wall to get a closer look – Yellowhammer. Just over the rise and in site of the coffee stop, a Snipe whizzed away and half a dozen Swallows flew across the face of the wood in a most determined way. Now our coffee stop would not be complete without a Buzzard, so to find, in Bodkin Hazel Wood, a Nuthatch was a bonus. A Stonechat was spotted; a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jay were heard as we walked towards Horton Court and in the trees at the start of Walk Wood a pair of Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush dashed about in the tops. The Cotswold Way was joined and we found further Yellowhammer and a bold Sparrowhawk seen from the path. The ‘Way’ gives most splendid views out over the River Severn. A Pied Wagtail was sitting on top of the Cricket Pavilion and proved to be our final species, making the total up to 36. Thanks to the 26 who turned up on a day with a rainy forecast but which, happily, was nice and sunny. (Thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

On a morning of gathering gloom and a forecast of rain and wind, a goodly gathering of about 20 set off from Old Down cricket club, having first spotted two Common Gulls and a Black-headed Gull on the playing field. One of the last Swallows flew over our heads. Across the cricket pitch and down the hill towards Tockington Manor, we gathered Robins, Woodpigeons in small flocks, Carrion Crows, and finally on the Tockington school rugby pitch a large number (31) of Pied Wagtails. Here also were seen Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Mistle Thrush. A Grey Heron sailed past, and a flock of starlings. Between ploughed fields with Rooks, Carrion Crows and Magpies, a Skylark was heard, and a Buzzard appeared, the latter prompting a shout for coffee! Into Sheepcombe Brake and through the woods, where the Jays were busy foraging for winter. Up through a stand of Turkey Oaks to the road where further passerines were added to the count, including Long-Tailed Tits. Near the end of the walk Rob spotted a male Peregrine. Despite the overcast weather we saw Green-veined White and Red Admiral butterflies. After two hours without a drop of rain, our luck ran out and there was a deluge, leading to a hasty and wet end to the outing. Thank you Nick for keeping the record of species seen, a tally of 29. (Thanks to Sue for leading.) Sue Black

Half a dozen people met at Ferrybridge on a bright sunny day with a brisk south-westerly wind. Unfortunately, that describes the least productive conditions at Portland where the birding tends to be much better in a howling easterly or poor weather – fog or rain – to bring seabirds and migrants into the Bill. The birding today was, not surprisingly, a bit rubbish. We checked out the tideline at Ferrybridge, finding two Little Egrets, 43 Oystercatchers, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits and more Mediterranean Gulls (55) than Black-headed. Ten Skylarks were foraging on a thinly vegetated stony area. On to Portland Bill for a sea watch, where Gannets, Shags and a handful of Razorbills were passing to and fro unconcerned by the wind, and the leader claimed two Arctic Skuas which were dots on the horizon identified largely by process of elimination. Eight Swallows and seven Wheatears reminded us that passage migration was still going on, but the bushes were pretty much devoid of migrants. We went up to Southwell for lunch, got discouraged by mud and puddles around the barns, and drove over to Lodmoor where a few interesting species had been reported recently. The Great White Egret thrilled the locals more than us, spoilt as we are by lots at Chew Lake. The Little Gull was nowhere to be seen and the Grey Phalarope kept being seen in whichever part of the reserve we had just vacated! The best bird was probably a partial albino Ruff, presumably the same very striking male that spent last winter at this site. We upped the species list a bit with Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Gadwall and Teal, a Snipe, 19 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Lapwings. There were more Little Egrets and Mediterranean Gulls. A House Martin and a Cetti’s Warbler were the only other species of note. It was a pleasant day’s birding but hardly Portland at its best. (Thanks to Jane for leading.) Jane Cumming