Field trip reports

Rain threatened as 22 of us set off from Winscombe; however, we completed our walk in dry conditions with a little sunshine too. Crossing fields to Sandford Hill we heard a vociferous Wren and saw Jackdaw, Crow, Rook and a good variety of the usual suspects in the hedgerows, such as Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits plus a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Two large flocks of white domestic doves circled the area. Soon we passed the four donkeys, sharing their space with a squirrel. Up the hill we had a glimpse of a retreating Jay, clear views of Blackcap and, emerging from the wood, a brief glimpse of two tumbling Raven. There were lovely views before a grassy downhill where a Yellow Brimstone butterfly fluttered in the sunshine. Here in the next field were 50 crows on the ground. A Song Thrush entertained until a Chiffchaff took our attention and Fieldfare were also heard. Further along a beautiful pair of Kestrel swooped low across the lane and hedges, alighting on a wire and adding to our raptor score of five Buzzards. Later a Grey Heron left a garden pond to the clamour of Herring Gull mobbing. Our count included Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Goldfinch and some of us were lucky to be able to watch a Roe Deer cross two fields in the sunshine. Bird species counted: 37. (Very many thanks to Sue for leading this walk.) Sue Watson

Maybe the forecasters hadn’t quite got the hang of British Summer Time as it was still raining at ten o’clock when 25 of us set off – but it did soon stop. Our first pause at the bridge showed how fast the river was running, so no Dipper or Grey Wagtail. A Heron on the far bank was spotted and appeared to be in exactly the same place some three hours later! Back-tracking we took the Red Ochre trail through Golden Valley – the mud showing it was aptly named. Although the greyness of the day kept both song and sightings down, with patience and many pairs of eyes, we were soon adding Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Blackcap, Blackbird and Great, Blue and Coal Tits to our list and particularly enjoyed several Goldcrests more easily visible than usual in a bare deciduous tree. Plenty of Nuthatches were calling and some eventually seen, as were Long-tailed Tits. Coffee at the quarry yielded good close-ups for everyone of a Treecreeper. A Chiffchaff was seen by some and a Peregrine heard. When we heard and then, on some feeders, saw Greenfinches, their relative rarity nowadays on Tuesday walks was commented on. Both Mistle and Song Thrush were seen, but no winter thrushes. At another point near the river there were Dipper signs on the top of rocks nearly submerged by the high, fast flowing water – but no Dipper! However a Grey Wagtail was seen by some before the walk was over. 35 species were counted including 71 Jackdaws in two groups. Thanks to Duncan and Pat Gill for leading. Nancy Barrett

Thirteen members met at Greylake on a dry but cold morning and though the recent snow had gone from the Levels and Moors the going underfoot was squelchy and some of the paths were closed due to the wet conditions. In the car park we saw Reed Bunting, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch and a flock of 25 Lapwings as we set off to the lookout at the far end of the reserve. Some of us saw a Marsh Harrier in the distance but it quickly disappeared behind a copse. We moved on around the reed beds to the viewpoint hearing a Cetti’s Warbler and seeing Goldfinch, Mute Swans, Buzzard, Skylark, and a Fieldfare on the way. At the end of the path we all had a good, if distant, view of two Marsh Harriers along with a few Mallards and ten Teal flying overhead. Four Great White Egrets were on the marsh, occasionally flying short distances, a Little Egret was also feeding and a solitary Cormorant passed by. As we moved on to the hides Water Rails were heard and six Snipe were close by on a small island as we reached the hides. From the hides many Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Coot were on the pools and we managed to locate two Pintails reasonably close by. A Grey Heron sat at a field edge and a Kestrel hunted overhead as we walked back to the car park. One lucky birder saw a Cetti’s Warbler uncharacteristically sitting in full view and Chiffchaffs were heard in the hedgerow. After lunch four of us went on the Stathe and were rewarded with a good view of 14 Common Cranes on Aller Moor along with a couple of Canada Geese, and also nearby a flock of 23 Little Egrets on the wet grassland next to the River Parrett giving a total of 40 species. (Many thanks to Mark for leading.) ` Mark Watson

The first shirtsleeve walk of the year, hurrah – well I had my arms out to collect some rays, but of the other 26, all muffled up with scarves, coat, etc, at least most had dispensed with gloves. As we gathered, the Buzzard started to be seen; first up the valley, then down the valley, some above Walton Down and others over Tickenham Hill, so, if your geography is up to scratch, all around us. There were Mallard and Pheasant close to the margins of Moor Lane Wood and Goldfinch, Blue and Great Tit sang from its branches. A glimpse of Jay and Long-tailed Tit were seen as we rounded the top corner of Harley Lane but alas no specials (we have seen Siskin in the past) on the feeders. As we wandered along Clevedon Lane, Robins sang, Woodpigeon co-cooed, Greenfinch wheezed, Chaffinch trilled and Goldfinch tinkled – a real ‘start of spring’ soundscape. The Skylark took to the heavens as we crossed Weston Moor, an obliging Kestrel circled above and the first of seven Reed Bunting were seen just before our coffee stop. Up then, through Common Hill Woods where we added Goldcrest to the list, with the third and then the fourth Nuthatch of the walk, chiming in with his ‘Toyy, toyy’ call and longer ‘chi-chi-chi-chi-chi’ song. On the feeders at Home Farm, an assortment of House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, and all the tit species were logged. After a Mistle Thrush, the last bird noted was a Greenfinch singing from the trees at Walton Cross. A total bird count of 32 and warm thanks to Geoff for leading us on this splendid walk. Nick Hawkridge

Report next month.

After a pre-walk review of the Forest of Dean and a hasty rearrangement of venue, 28 members met at the car park in Snuff Mills for a pleasant walk with no rain and some sunshine. After crossing the roaring River Frome we walked up the valley, seeing many Treecreeper and Goldcrest. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers went tearing round the treetops with shrieking cries, and Treecreeper followed suit around the bole of a couple of trees. The Long-tailed Tits contented themselves with feeding, with the appearance of already being paired off. Another pair showed well – Stock Dove, the iridescent neck patches catching the weak sun, and when a lone Raven crossed the vale they departed with a clatter. A Nuthatch was seen before we left the wood and once on the flat we saw several Black-headed Gulls – some sporting summer hoods. Carrion Crows probed the sward, getting a meal from the mole hill infested grass. At our coffee stop in the park we found half a dozen Redwings scouring the last of the holly berries and more Great Spotted Woodpeckers called and drummed. The Song Thrush, on the far side of the valley, swelled the spring song soundscape and a little further on the first Blackbird added his melody. Before we descended to the river a group of five Jays came chasing over, squawking and shrieking in hot pursuit of each other – it’s that time of year. Despite careful study of the river bank twigs and bushes, we didn’t find the Kingfisher until we were almost back to the mill, with a final tally of 34 and bright sun on our faces. (Thanks to Nick for leading, and for sorting out an alternative walk.) Nick Hawkridge

No “Beast from the East” can deter Tuesday walkers it seems! 22 members turned up and a 23rd joined us along the way. Our first stop near the Prince Street Swing Bridge was to look at the Cormorants and discuss different types and note the evident breeding patches. Walking along past M-shed, we saw the first of many Herring Gulls plus Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed and a Common Gull. The buddleia, brambles and back gardens of Cumberland Road yielded House Sparrow, Great Tit and Dunnock and a Pied Wagtail accompanied us, finding food among the rail tracks. Although the Chocolate Path was closed, we ventured onto the footbridge over the river in a bit of a snowstorm and were rewarded with good views of a Common Sandpiper. Continuing along beside the Floating Harbour, we went through the Underfall Yard and then crossed the road onto a path new to most of us followed by a bit of the Metrobus route. After a welcome coffee stop in the Create Centre we had a look up river to the Suspension Bridge and saw Redshank and distant Buzzard. After returning on the north side of the harbour to the bottom of Jacobs Wells Road, some of the party continued up onto Brandon Hill where Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush and Starling were added to the list. We also watched a nearby group of Redwings in good light turning over leaves. 32 species seen and a satisfying morning. Many thanks to Nancy for leading

16 members turned out on a cold but sunny morning. The water level of the lake was very high and this had affected the birds, no egrets today for example. However, we got off to a good start at Woodford where the woodland behind the car park revealed two Bullfinches and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and calls from a Green Woodpecker and two Jays. 50 Redwings were on the move, together with five Fieldfares. Despite the cold, Spring was in the air with song from Dunnock, Chaffinch, and Wren. There were three Goldeneyes on the lake. We then drove in turn to the hides on the west side of the lake. At Villice there were three Scaup (one male) together with more than 20 Tufted Ducks, a Pochard, and a large number of Coots. At Herons Green there were five Teals and two Pochards at the pond, and two Snipes flew in. Two Buzzards were watching from a nearby tree. On the lake side was a large mixed flock of the four usual gull species (we had a Great Black-backed Gull later, at Herriotts). Continuing to Moreton we had Goldfinch, Siskin, Goldcrest, and Long-tailed Tit in the wood. Opening the hide we felt the full blast of the Siberian wind and we didn’t stay long, having taken in the ubiquitous Tufted Duck and Coot. The water was up to the level of the boardwalk at Stratford hide and a Cetti’s Warbler was singing nearby. We had close views of a male Goldeneye, and more distant views of 18 Shoveler, and a female Scaup. At Herriotts Bridge two Reed Buntings flew in as we arrived. The day’s largest concentration of birds included Shelduck, Pintail, and Grey and Pied Wagtail. On the lake side a pair of Great Crested Grebes began displaying with weed, providing a memorable finish. Thanks to Robert for leading this enjoyable meeting, yielding 51 species Gareth Roberts

Birds never do what you want them to, do they?  Every trip leader will recognise that “it was here yesterday” feeling.  On the previous day’s Wetland Bird Survey, as the tide receded hundreds of waders had flown across from their rocky roosts to the beach and trooped along the tideline in an orderly manner for easy counting.  Today they just sat miles away on the rocks watching that vast expanse of beach opening up as the tide dropped, not one flying across to take advantage of the newly available feeding opportunity. 25 people counted ducks as we waited in vain for the waders –81 Shelducks, 130 Wigeons, 45 Teal, twelve Mallards–and estimated the Lapwing flock at around 170 when they flew.  The Oystercatcher flock had dropped to 50 birds and there were about 60 Curlews.  Redshanks were scattered along the muddy banks of the Axe in half-hidden groups so we only found around a hundred of yesterday’s 300 birds For the rest, we left Rob on the beach to make an accurate count of 447 Dunlinsas he waited in vain for yesterday’s 25 Ringed Plovers to appear.  An advance party quickly gave up on the chilly beach-watch and walked out down the Axe to the Bleadon Levels, picking up Little Egret, Grey Heron,Coot, and Reed Bunting for the list.  The rest waited out the waders for a while, then set off along Uphill’s high cliff face to Walmsley Hill, noting three Little Grebe on the freshwater pool and checking the bushes for passerines.  Stonechat and Meadow Pipit were noted and some saw a distant Peregrine putting up the wader flocks on the Brean Down side of the river.  We couldn’t find the reported female Black Redstart but the last stragglers on the return journey eventually picked it up, and some returned to see it after a good lunch at the marina cafe.  It was an enjoyable morning despite the uncooperative waders, with 40 species on the list. Many thanks to Jane for leading (Editor).                                                                                                                    Jane Cumming

An intrepid group of 13 walkers met at Herons Green, Chew Valley Lake, whilst the rain was pelting down. The walk should have gone over Breach Hill to the Ubley hatchery but it was decided to go to Woodford Lodge for coffee to see if the rain would abate. The rain eased so we decided to walk the Grebe and Bittern trails instead as the weather improved. As we passed the first reedbeds a pair of Stonechats and a pair of Reed Buntings gave us good views. The wooded areas were quite wet but the birds were showing well with two Treecreepers, three Goldcrests and several Cetti’s warblers were heard and one seen. A Water Rail was heard. We had good views of a Grey Wagtail. A flock of at least 50 Fieldfares flew over and a Sparrowhawk was mobbed by Carrion Crows. We noticed that Chaffinches are starting to sing. Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed but we could not find it. Two Common Buzzards and two Grey Herons were seen. The lake was very choppy so only Mallard, Coot and Tufted Duck were noted with a pair of Goldeneye close into the shore. It was a good walk. Thanks to John and Sue Prince for leading (Editor). Sue Prince