Field trip reports

Ten of us met at Lower Woods Lodge where a woodland-based Pied Wagtail and a nesting Robin caught our attention. We set off eastwards along Green Trench to the woodland edge listening to bird song by the usual suspects. It had been surprisingly quiet up to the point we left the wood, but now on the common, we were now seeing Linnet, Stonechat and Whitethroat, with Swift and a soaring Sparrowhawk. The scrub on the Common produced Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Green, Gold and Bullfinch’s. Away from the scrub the open grassland yielded a hovering Kestrel, several Skylark and more Stonechats. Flying above were Buzzard, Raven, Mallard, House Martin, Swallow, a Grey Heron, and a sudden gathering of Jackdaws and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The few houses in the area held a good population of House Sparrow and a Starling family. A large raptor flew over the common to disappear beyond the woodland providing good enough views to identify it as a Goshawk. With a Great Spotted Woodpecker busying itself in the trees, a flushed Pheasant, and a Whitethroat delivering food into a bush, we walked on past gardens showing Collared Dove and our only Magpie towards the car park adding only Goldcrest to our list that now numbered 41 species. Thanks to the group for ensuring such a pleasant morning, and thanks to Caron for keeping score (and thanks to Mike for leading). Mike Jackson  

On this hot sunny day, there were 20 of us following the delightfully shady and picturesque Frome Valley Walkway, intermittently crossing the river on its numerous bridges which afforded great vistas for bird-spotting up and downstream. 31 bird species were identified during the walk plus a Roe deer towards the end. From the start there were signs of Spring: two Blue Tit fledglings just by the pub, then later, below a bridge a Moorhen nest with six eggs – we spotted the parent up the river – and later still, a family of six Goldcrests in the trees. We followed the paths along the river with aromas of wild garlic and dappled light from the sunshine filtering through into the woods. The Chiffchaffs were out in numbers and the occasional Buzzard soared the skies. We spied a Grey Wagtail from one of the bridges, where as we arrived, the bells from the local church began to peal pleasantly. Buttercup fields on the return led us back to the river again where we spotted a Little Egret stirring up the mud with its foot. A cheerful Wren greeted us upon arriving back at the pub. Sarie Desai

On a lovely spring day eight members set off from the car park for a five mile picnic walk in a pleasant slightly overcast 17 degrees C with hardly any breeze. From the car park Swifts and Swallows were seen high above us. Very soon we walked by a paddock field with a couple of horses in it but also containing three splendid Mistle Thrushes seemingly unconcerned by our presence .Skirting the golf course we descended into the beautiful village to reach the Bybrook where a grey wagtail was busy feeding among the rocks and pebbles. A gradual ascent on the Macmillan Way parallel to the stream produced views of flocks of corvids and a couple of buzzards while we had a coffee break. Notable throughout this walk was the high number of singing Blackcaps, Robins, Blackbirds and Wrens almost everywhere we went which added to the atmosphere and enjoyment of the splendid scenery. Diverting from the list of birds was the discovery of the tiny and beautiful Green Hairstreak butterfly which some of us had not seen or heard of before! After a picnic stop in bright sunshine more birds were heard than seen except for a Raven flying overhead. We ascended to more inhabited and farmed countryside continually adding to the variety of species we had seen including Heron and Coot on the ponds and Dunnock and Goldfinch in the hedges. Just before the end of the walk a Yellowhammer was heard and briefly seen to bring the total species seen or heard to a respectable 43. Thanks to Geoff for leading this great walk. Neil Davies

Fourteen of us met in the car park on a lovely morning, with Red Kites flying over, and set off to Shapwick to try to see the Purple Heron. No luck then, though many did connect at the end of the club walk. Shapwick and Ham Wall are alive with birds and dragonflies in the spring and give a good opportunity to learn the different bird songs. Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler sang near the car park and a swimming Grass Snake gave good views too. Great White Egrets and many other water birds were present as always, including Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard and young Great Crested Grebe. Waders included Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank. We heard several Bittern booming with two showing on a few  occasions. Marsh Harriers and a Hobby gave good views and a  Cuckoo was heard but not seen. Thanks to everyone for coming along, we saw or heard around 60 species on the day. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Page

Twenty of us, including twelve young people from seven families, met at Woodford to walk down the path to the dam. A combination of young eyes and ears, and experienced birdwatchers made for a productive and enjoyable morning. Chiffchaff and Blackcap (twelve) were in good voice, and some of the group heard a Garden Warbler. Nearer the lake three Cetti’s Warblers were heard and seen, and Reed Warblers were heard. A lucky few had good views of a male Bullfinch. A Coal Tit was heard and then seen in an oak tree, and on the return a keen-eyed young walker spotted a Treecreeper giving superb views. A Canada Goose family with five goslings were on the water. Moving on to Herriotts Bridge, a Whimbrel was standing next to an Oystercatcher, giving a useful size comparison. Nearby were Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. Two Great White Egret and three Grey Heron, together with Shelduck, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot were in the pool. There were four species of gull. Two Red Kite flew over, as did House Martins and Swallows. On the lake side there were 28 Great Crested Grebes in the distance, and Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting closer by. Species total for the morning was 49, (27 at Woodford). The young people were enthusiastic, and we plan to hold more events for young people and families in the autumn. Thanks to Robin for leading. Gareth Roberts

Thirty members met at the RSPB car park on a perfect evening, the numbers being a testament to the allure of the Nightingale. In common with the picture in the rest of England, the number of singing males here has fallen from 20 in 2001, to only two in each of the last three years. The RSPB has been working hard to maintain the coppice habitat, and in recent years to promote a dense scrub understorey in cleared areas. This has proved popular with Willow Warblers, and we heard one as we went round the nature trail. This year there were more singing Blackbirds, 16, than Song Thrush, twelve. Robin, Blackcap, and Chiffchaff completed the early soundscape. At about 20:25 we arrived at the territory of the first Nightingale, and to our delight he was singing close by. The same bird had been heard, and photographed, by a member at 09:30 that morning. We listened with rapt attention for half an hour. The second bird was quiet. Research suggests that all Nightingales breeding in England come from a relatively restricted area around The Gambia. Southern European Nightingales come from a much larger area, centered on Ghana. Habitat loss in their non-breeding range may be as important to their story as habitat loss in England. See www.bto.org and search for Nightingale connectivity. (Thanks to RSPB Gloucester for access to the car park, to Alan Daniells for the list (17 species), and to Gareth for leading). Gareth Roberts 

Sixteen members met on a cool but fine morning. At the Centre we were treated to a Little Grebe in fine breeding plumage with four ‘punky’ chicks. Soon after, we heard our first Reed and Sedge Warblers of the day, and commented on the large number of Whitethroats. A Reed Bunting was seen, and a Cetti’s Warbler photographed. A Little Owl had been promised, but at the designated point there was no owl, and eventually most of us moved on, only to be called back – an owl had just flown in and was visible on a bare  branch. After this, having walked through a pleasant wood filled with Blackcap song and a distant Cuckoo, we reached the hide, from where not much was on view at first, but then a few birds appeared, culminating in some lucky people spotting a Bittern landing and disappearing into the reeds. No Bearded Tits were seen, but 35 species were recorded (thanks to Alastair for the list). After lunch some went onto Goldcliff. A Little Stint was spotted close to a Ringed Plover and some Canada goslings. Distant Ruffs gave issues with identification. From a viewing platform a Spoonbill was seen. At the seawall, Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit were noted. From the third hide, there were Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, and a pair of Garganey. After most had left for home the expected Pink-footed Goose appeared, giving 39 species in the afternoon. Species total for the day was 62. (Thanks to John for leading). Lou Skinner

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