Field trip reports

On a glorious warm, sunny morning, 35 members met at New Passage. The high tide had covered all the mud and spilled onto the pill side banks so we found Oystercatchers, Whimbrels and two Common Sandpipers pottering about in the grass waiting for the beach to reappear. At the pools the first wader to be found was a Little Ringed Plover, there were half a dozen Common Ringed Plovers on the distant pools. Waterfowl included two Greylag Geese, two Mute Swans, a Shoveler, three Tufted Ducks and plenty of Mallard and Gadwall with a couple of Teal, sharing the pools with Dabchicks, Coots, Moorhens, Grey Herons and four Little Egrets. It was a treat to watch ten Avocets feeding and squabbling amongst a scattering of Lapwings, three Black-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin or two. From the path around the side of the pools a Redshank and a Greenshank were found. Hirundines swooped over from time to time, the House Martins dropping down to collect mud for their nests. Sedge and Reed Warblers sang and eventually showed well. Back at the beach-side corner as the tide fell, five Godwits were identified as Bar-tailed when they started to preen and flap their wings, a species which was recorded at watch points up and down the Severn that day, but is occasional enough on our shorelines always to be a pleasant surprise. The day total reached 68 species, which is apparently a new record for Tuesday walks. (Thanks to Jane for leading).  Jane Cumming

An early start was rewarded by a lovely walk in the New Forest, led by Jane over heathland and woods on a warm spring day. The first patch of woodland proved as reliable as usual for Redstarts and Willow Warblers. Highlights included a Dartford Warbler, a Cuckoo giving great views, Buzzard, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Marsh Tit, Jay and Treecreeper. Another good record was a Firecrest, first identified by the Merlin App then we all managed to get a glimpse at least of its striking head markings. After fording a woodland stream with only one wet foot amongst eleven people, we headed for a raised vantage point for lunch. There were wonderful views all around including a small pond and Fritham Woods where apparently Honey Buzzards can be found later in the spring. After half an hour we headed back towards the car park. saw a lovely pair of Linnets with the male showing off the red marking on his chest very clearly. The species total was 39. Thank you to Jane, and to Alastair for the bird list, and to Chairman Rob for the photos on WhatsApp. Nick Jobson Wicks

Despite the bright sunshine, the 24 walkers who set out from Hanham Mills were grateful to get into Bickley Wood and out of the sharp wind. The bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic were appreciated as well as a field of cowslips when we emerged from the woods. Many Orange Tip butterflies were seen. The four mile woodland and riverside walk revealed 35 bird species including, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, (the latter disappeared into a hole in a tree but didn’t reappear) Stock Dove, Swallow, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song and Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, ten tiny Mallard chicks and 17 Grey Herons in the Heronry. Much to some walkers’ consternation, a heron chick fell from its nest but as there was no movement as it fell, it was assumed to be dead. A Carrion Crow was quick to ensure that that was the case. Just as we were ending the walk, as rain threatened, some witnessed a heron catch a sizable fish. The lack of any rain recently meant that the walk was dry underfoot and the Avon very low. (Thanks to the leaders). Karen Birmingham 

To celebrate the 1,500th Tuesday walk, we enjoyed a very interesting and informative three hours, when 45 members visited the Chew Valley Lake Ringing Station. We met, and spent time both before and after, at Herriotts Bridge, where there was a wide variety of birds seen, including Little Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Bittern, Pintail, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier and Little Egret. At the ringing station we were shown what is done by the volunteer staff, who are BTO trained and licensed. We were fascinated to see how the individual birds are looked at in detail, all their biometrics recorded and then sent to the National Database. This includes their weight, length and condition of wings and feathers, age, sex, whether showing any signs of ongoing moult and crucially noting the number on their ring and if it is a replacement or a first ring. We observed a number of small birds being processed, including Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Song Thrush and Blackcap. Each carried an aluminium alloy ring before release. A number were already ringed. The ringing is done throughout the summer, weather permitting, enabling the station to be classed as “a Constant Effort Site”, and 2-3,000 birds are processed annually here. A splendid celebration cake, iced with the BOC logo was provided by Graham. Many thanks to Chris Craig and the expert volunteers for hosting us, and to Graham for leading.  Species total was 43.   Sue Watson

Seven families, with nine young people, joined the first BOC family walk, held at Watercress Farm rewilding project, Wraxall. We visited a range of habitats on the site and were rewarded by listing 35 species. Blackcap, Whitethroat, and Goldfinch songs were heard, and checked with the Merlin app. Green Woodpecker called loudly, and two were seen on a field disturbed by the pigs. Two Little Egrets were seen on the new wetland. Other highlights were Stonechat, Yellowhammer, and Great Tits with nesting material. Recently arrived Swallows and House Martins flew over, and Skylarks were singing. Five Roe Deer were seen, and Slow Worms under the corrugated refuges caused much excitement. The response to the walk was positive, and we have a second session planned for May. Thanks to Robin for leading. Gareth Roberts

This was a joint walk with Bristol Naturalists’ Society and it also had two start times in the hope that the five early risers amongst us might catch any overnight migrants before they moved on. A newly arrived Whitethroat was scratching away as we climbed the steps and Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song was also much in evidence. A smart male Wheatear showed well on the open grass at the top, but, sadly, the Grasshopper Warblers that Matt had heard earlier had already departed. Competing Skylarks were in full voice as we moved on to the fields to the south of the ridge and here we were lucky enough to see a Redstart moving along the hedgerows. Returning to the car park for the second start at 09:00 with our numbers more than doubled, we heard Greenfinch, Linnet, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler and Dunnock amongst others. Some heard and saw a Cuckoo and everyone had excellent views of a pair of Stonechats. A Peregrine Falcon was buzzing the Shelduck and Curlew out in the bay and a Kestrel hovered over the grassland. Finally, there was a probable Cirl Bunting in the scrub at the far end. Thanks are due to Matt for his knowledgeable leading and sharing his vast experience of his local patch on this lovely morning. Giles Morris

Twenty-four birdwatchers arrived at Tintern to accompany Graham on his and many others favourite walk, up the Angidy River valley. The weather was dry and mainly clear, with very little wind. Before we had left the car park, we spotted our 50,000th cumulative species, a Wren! A Cormorant flew overhead before we ascended a steep hill into the woodland. A wide range of bird species was seen and heard, including Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, and Chiffchaff. Following the river we saw a Dipper just beyond a waterfall, and later good views of a pair of Grey Wagtails and a pair of Mandarin Ducks. We heard numerous Blackcaps and Goldcrest. A special thank you to Sue, who allowed us to sit in her garden to have lunch. Later we had excellent views of a Dipper, which was later joined by a second one, before they both flew upstream. A Grey Wagtail flew in to take their place. As we walked back to the car park, a Grey Heron flew overhead, bringing the species count to 33. Many thanks to Graham for sharing the beautiful walk with us. Steve Knibbs

Arlingham is a small peninsula jutting out into the Severn. It was a pleasant, flat walk with only a modest rise onto the flood barrier. Around the village is mixed farming with some woodland, hedgerow, drainage ditches and the river. Hinckley Point Power Station proposed to convert the area to wetland (much to the horror of the local inhabitants) to compensate for sea life killed by the cooling water intake. There is an absence of formerly common farmland birds but passage migrants were possible, particularly along the riverside. As we started our walk, following a drainage ditch, we encountered Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. We disturbed a pair of Mallards (three times) and a Moorhen. A large flock of Rooks foraged in an adjacent field. Raptors were hard to find with Buzzard our only species. A close fly-over of a Common Gull afforded a good view of the white, wing tip ‘mirrors’. Several Linnets, Skylarks and a Reed Bunting were the best of the rest. Thirty five species in total, twenty three club members and a lovely sunny day. (Thanks to Alastair for leading). Alastair Fraser

An amazing 51 walkers attended for this popular visit to the rewilding site owned by Belmont Estate. We split into two groups and set off in opposite directions to cover the route over the different habitats. We were blessed with good sunshine after the recent gloomy weather and rain. The new wetland area was fairly quiet but Kingfisher, Mute Swan, Mallard, Cormorant and Little Egret were seen by some. The Railway Sidings proved heavy going in places and it was a challenge to get through some sections without losing your boots in the mud. There were good views of Siskin feeding in the Alder Trees and a smattering of Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch in the hedgerows. The fields had a good number of Stonechats overwintering as well as Meadow Pipit. It was a delight to see and hear Skylark on their song flight, surely indicating spring is on the way at last. There were good numbers of Buzzards, a pair of Kestrels and a distant Red Kite. The Green Woodpeckers were active and well seen – perhaps up to five individuals. There were a couple of groups of Roe Deer and three Brown Hares also benefiting from the rewilding at this site. In total there were 40 bird species seen, a good total for a small site close to Bristol. Thanks to Alastair for leading. (Thanks to Robin for co-leading). Robin Martin

Twenty one members met at the Crown Inn car park on a nice bright fresh day. We started off towards the lower woods spotting a couple of Magpies. A Green Woodpecker was glimpsed flying off to a far tree. Then started the steep rocky climb through the woods. Just past the map/sign for the warren a couple of Tree-creepers were calling to each other but remained hidden. Robins, Blue Tits and Great Tits were calling but rarely seen. When the ground opened out two Ravens with a Buzzard above them were seen.At the top of the ridge were lovely views to the valley on the left, anda lovely sunlit view of a Buzzard perched in a tree. As we descended the hill there was another tempting glimpse of a Tree-creeper. Whilst watching and listening to a Dunnock singing there was an interesting squawk and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over our heads and started pecking at the top of a nearby tree. Lastly, a Coal Tit was heard with its situ-situ call, adding to the Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Wren and Redwing spotted by others along the way, and took the species count to 25. Many thanks to Jacky for leading the walk. Stephen Clark