Field trip reports

After a rather gloomy start to the day in Bristol we arrived at Dewlands Farm to be greeted by clear skies, albeit on a rather cool, breezy day. 15 members were in attendance and were met by Nigel and Elaine Smith who were our guides for the morning. Whilst in the farmyard we were treated to large flocks of Lapwing overhead, also Golden Plover and three Buzzards. On the short walk to the barn we had a variety of tits (Blue, Great, Long-tailed) and we heard the odd Redwing. Looking down on the reserve from the higher ground we saw two distant Cranes grazing and got the impression of large numbers of ducks. According to Nigel there were over 50,000 birds in total. Once we reached the barn and got settled in you could see the enormous numbers of ducks, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Gadwall and a smaller number of Mallards. Amidst the ducks were hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits and in the distance an enormous flock of Golden Plovers. Smaller numbers of Mute Swan, Canada Geese and both Little and Great White Egrets were present. The next couple of hours were action-packed as a number of raptors regularly disturbed the birds. We had at least four Marsh Harrier cruising the area and sending the birds up in a flurry of activity. Two Peregrines were seen alternately hunting over the site and then perching on fence posts. At one point, one Peregrine attacked a passing Buzzard. We had three Cranes fly fairly close overhead but the highlight for most people was a beautiful male Hen Harrier which took a leisurely flight past the barn giving exceptional views to all. Most of the group then proceeded to Greylake, some via Burrow Mump where six Bewick’s Swans and a Little Egret were seen. At Greylake there were again large flocks of Lapwings and Golden Plovers and yet more ducks. In the hide we spent an enjoyable time spotting Snipe tucked away in the vegetation. Once again, we had good views of Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. Overall, we had 30 species which included both quantity and quality. Many thanks to Nigel and Elaine for leading. Sue Kempson

Today’s walk was a real treat for the 48 of us (including a baby!) who met at the Snuff Mills car park. Weather conditions were sunny and still with an average temperature of 8°C. Straightaway we could observe a high number of magpies gathering together as expected at this time of the year. Blackbirds, Great and Blue Tits and Robins were singing as we walked towards the tunnel to cross the M32. We first stopped on the other side of the tunnel, at the bottom of Purdown, to listen to a Greenfinch singing. By the Duchess Pond, we saw four Moorhens, a Coot, a Wren, six Goldfinches in a small bush and a Green Woodpecker briefly flew over our heads. We had the pleasure to watch the majestic flight of a Grey Heron over the pond, before it disappeared. We kept walking away from the pond in Stoke Park Estate, only to stop a minute after in order to observe a beautiful pair of Stonechats at the top of a bush. At the same time, we were amazed by a flock of twelve Meadow Pipits flying overhead. On the way back to the car park, we encountered a Treecreeper and a Goldcrest in the same tree. At about 11:15 we walked along the River Frome towards Eastville Park and saw Mallards, Woodpigeons, Robins, Wrens and Long-tailed Tits along the way, but the star of the day was a gorgeous male Kingfisher. I learnt that male kingfishers have an all-black beak whereas females have a red base. He posed for us for a good ten minutes up on a branch before diving into the river and then calling as he disappeared. He stopped further away up on a branch and sat again for another ten minutes. It was the first time that many of us were able to observe a Kingfisher so close and for such a long time. Along the Frome Valley Walkway around the lake, we were pleased to see a sleepy Tawny Owl roosting in the box that was set up one year ago by the Friends of Eastville Park. Two Cormorants were up in a tree, one of which was a juvenile with its white belly. In total, six Great Spotted Woodpeckers were observed chasing around, an expected behaviour at that time of year. One Raven was chased by several Magpies and Carrion Crows. Above us we could observe Black-headed Gulls, and there were 40 roosting Feral Pigeons up in a tree. A beautiful male Goosander landed slowly in the lake, which was also occupied by Grey Herons, Mallards and Mute Swans. Just before leaving the Walkway, the Kingfisher – most likely the same as before – came back and stopped on a branch close to the water with a very big fish in his beak. At the same time, we could see two Goldcrests up in a tree. On the way back to the car park along the river we saw or heard the following species: … Read more

31 Members raised their hand at the start of the meeting – a wonderful turn out. This did mean, of course, that we were crammed into the Holden Tower initially but all seemed to be enjoying the views of a variety of species. The tide was out so there was not the hoped-for pack of waders on the Dumbles. A few geese and swans were obvious; Mute and Bewick’s Swans and Greylag, White-fronted and Canada Geese. Then a Black-bellied Brent Goose was spotted in a distant flock of Brents – a goose too far for some members! A Peregrine Falcon was well out on the edge of the Dumbles and a Buzzard much closer. It was obviously a predator that caused a flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover to pass overhead and we did eventually see the waders settle in the damp fields from the Zeiss and South Finger Hides, where we also saw Dunlin and a single Little Stint. By now most duck species had been seen; I noted Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Shelduck, Snipe and Water Rail. A good selection of passerines included House Sparrow, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin and others. The grand total was 51 species, so I’ve obviously missed out a few (i.e. Crane). It was a pleasant fine morning’s birding to set off the New Year. (Thanks Robin for leading yet again!) Robin Prytherch

Perhaps the intel of some super birds at Eastville Park made the decision easy for the seven walkers who turned up expecting to do Snuff Mills, to choose the park instead. Following the Frome downstream means crossing it via the road bridge, where we were delighted to see a Grey Wagtail poking about on the spillway. We were barely out of sight of the bridge before we’d added Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, so many Woodpigeons as to deter accurate counting, and our first Great Spotted Woodpecker. We were joined by our eighth walker and the gatherer of the intel, who promptly showed us the Peregrine on the spire of the church at Stapleton and before we recrossed the river for the third time we’d added Goldcrest to the list. At the weir we added Kingfisher, Goldfinch and Coal Tit, these last were rivals, scolding each other across the valley. More intel, a quick recce, and up the Fishponds Brook we went to see a very unfazed Dipper, cleaning and dozing on its favourite rock. At the lake there were 13 Goosanders – five males and eight redheads, nine Cormorants, another Kingfisher, two Grey Herons, and many Feral Pigeons – who tried for our elevenses cast offs. As the forthcoming Christmas dinners were anticipated, we started back early, but it wasn’t long before we found another Grey Wagtail, heard and saw three more Great Spotted Woodpeckers and out first Nuthatch. We didn’t add many to the total (33), on the return to Snuff Mills car park, other than a small flight of 30 Starlings and much sharpened appetites. (Thanks to Nick for leading, Ed). Nick Hawkridge

Cancelled on the day due to weather conditions, thanks to Dave for sending this note of his 14 December reconnoitre, Ed) I walked the route on a dry, fairly bright day. The ground was firm underfoot after a couple of recent frosts and there were only a couple of muddy spots – what could go wrong? Early on I had Redwing and six Magpies, followed by numerous Blackbirds and some Carrion Crows. Jackdaws and Jay were seen as were the frequent Blue Tits, House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Pied Wagtails, to make a list total of 17. As my walk continued there were Moorhen, Grey Heron, Raven and a solitary Bulfinch. Unusually for this walk, no Buzzard was seen and Green Woodpecker too was missing. Sadly when the Tuesday came for the scheduled walk the weather intervened big time – blowing a gale and raining cats and dogs and so it was that the walk was cancelled. Better luck next year. Happy New Year to everyone. Dave Body

It’s a hundred miles to Paignton, albeit well under two hours’ drive from the west side of Bristol, but six members made the trip (postponed 24 hours owing to Saturday’s drenching rain). The forecast still wasn’t very encouraging, but in the event we only got properly rained on once and the birding was well worth a bit of wet! We met at Paignton Pier and for starters we spent ten minutes or so checking the sea, which produced one fly-by Shelduck – the only one of the day – a Black-throated Diver and the first of many Great Northern Divers and Great Crested Grebes. On to Broadsands for the main course of Red-necked Grebe, Cirl Bunting and Yellow-browed Warbler, all of which we eventually found although not everyone got a decent view of the warbler before it flitted off through the ivy and vanished. The Red-necked Grebe was joined in Elberry Cove by a Black-necked Grebe, and at least a dozen Great Northern Divers could be seen from Elberry Headland (south of Broadsands car park), scattered across Torbay; several were very close and gave great views. Scanning around the bay and out to sea also produced plenty of Gannets including 20 or so resting on the water in the light wind, and the odd Razorbill as well as Cormorants, Shags and Great Black-backed Gulls. Back at the car park we could only find a Reed Bunting at the first attempt but a handsome male Cirl Bunting dropped in during our second search, with such common species as Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Goldfinch also taking advantage of the feeding area which is kept supplied with seed by generous local birders. The low swampy thicket harboured the Yellow-browed Warbler as well as four Bullfinches, Greenfinches and a flock of tits but we couldn’t see or hear any of the Chiffchaffs which usually winter there. For dessert we drove to Goodrington Sands where we sat out a rainstorm – conveniently at lunch-time – and when it dried up a bit we moved up to the Three Beaches Headland a little to the south. There we finally had good views of the immature Surf Scoter, accompanied by three female/juvenile Common Scoters, as well as ten Great Crested Grebes, another Great Northern Diver, a couple of fly-by Oystercatchers, pairs of Fulmars already guarding nest-ledges over on Livermead Cliffs, and the day’s only Guillemot, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail. With more rain threatening we counted our successes and set off for home in time to get back to Bristol before dark. Altogether we had a very rewarding trip with about forty species in spite of the uncertain weather. (Thanks to Jane for leading, Ed). Jane Cumming

Twenty-one birders met at Herons Green on a cool but fine winter’s morning. Water levels are now higher. Two Goosanders were present along with all the usual ducks, swans and geese. On a patch of mud by the reed bed two Black-tailed Godwits, two Grey Herons and several Cormorants were observed through the telescopes. We followed the lanes up to Breach Hill Common. There were several flocks of Redwings some of which flew over our heads. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen along with the usual small birds, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, and Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits. At the coffee stop Nuthatch was heard and Jackie saw a pair of Bullfinches and later everyone got a view of these lovely birds further along the walk. Three Common Buzzards were close over the field. A Goldcrest was heard. Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit helped to bring the total to fiftyfour species. It was a lovely walk with fine countryside views that was enjoyed by all. (Thanks to Sue and John Prince for leading.) Sue Prince

Cancelled courtesy of storm ‘Deirdre’.

A record number of 50 members arrived for this year’s pre-Christmas lunch walk from Holy Trinity Church – but could we get 50 bird species? We set off in the welcome sunshine. Our group was well spread out, with Peter kindly waiting to gather up latecomers, so not everyone saw the single Bullfinch and Greenfinch. We walked past a feeder, busy with Blue, Great and Coal Tits, and the local gang of House Sparrows chirruping in the bushes, down to the Bath Spa University grounds to the lower lake where there were good views of a Kingfisher working its way along the far bank, the resident lonely Mute Swan and some of the 30 Mallards of the day. Moving to “Top Lake” we heard Goldcrests in the yew trees and a distant Nuthatch. Three Cormorants perched in taller trees. Coffee stop in the pavilion allowed us to admire two Grey Herons, the Mute Swan family (one juvenile left) and the ducks, including 23 Teal. One keen member went ahead to the bridge to be rewarded by the sight of a Dipper, a new bird for this patch; in spite of a frantic message we missed seeing it dash along the lake edge. We had to make do with a handsome Mistle Thrush feeding on what else but mistletoe. Wending our way over the bridge, and up through the woods a Treecreeper was spotted. On the way back to the village we saw both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, plentiful Redwings and somewhat fewer Fieldfares. Two Blackcaps in bushes at the end of the drive rounded off our very pleasant walk, which gave us 40 species altogether. Then it was time to enjoy our excellent Christmas lunch at the Riverside Inn during which we showed our appreciation to Mark Watson for organising our Tuesday walks and to all the walk leaders including Robert Hargreaves who received a BOC Special Award for his contribution to the success of the Avon Bird Blog. Thanks to today’s leaders Duncan and Pat Gill and to Peter Holbrook who rounded us up and so efficiently organised our Christmas lunch yet again. Anne Crowe

Clevedon was windy, overcast with a hint of drizzle as 19 members set off along the promenade towards Wain’s Hill. Half a dozen Turnstones were seen as well as at least 90 Black-headed Gulls. As we moved on to Poets’ Walk, Blue and Long-tailed Tits were seen and heard and a solitary Jay was sitting in an Ash tree. A Nuthatch was heard and then seen behind us. As we walked through the woodland, Robin, Wren, Dunnock and Blackbird were added to the list. As we approached the headland two Goosanders were paddling furiously below us, and a small flock of 12 Oystercatchers flew low over the water. The sky was darkening and the promised heavy rain looked likely as we stopped for coffee and also to see about 50 Redshanks feeding at the water’s edge at the outlet of the Blind Yeo. A flock of 40 Fieldfares appeared and a few Shelducks were seen. We walked along the Blind Yeo for a short distance as the weather worsened and the walk was shortened as the rain came in. A Grey Heron sat across the river and a lone Grey Wagtail was added to the list. A few lucky folk had a fleeting glimpse of a Merlin on the riverbank. By the time we got back to the parked cars the rain was heavy. Nevertheless we had a good, if shorter than planned, stroll and chalked up 35 species. Thanks to Peter for leading. Mark Watson