Field trip reports

Twenty Five of us set out on a grey, cold morning. The first section was around part of the reservoir where we saw a Black-necked Grebe and a good number of Pochard. We then headed to the reservoir on farmland, and alongside rhines, leading us eventually into Axbridge. It was very muddy in places which proved a bit of a challenge, especially in and around stiles and gateways. After taking time to watch songbirds in and around a line of gardens and allotments where there were some bird feeding stations, we eventually returned via another sect ion of the reservoir for another look at the Black-necked Grebe and a lovely Grey Wagtail. We had n o shortage of birds throughout, with 46 species recorded for the trip by Graham. A most enjoyable walk with plenty of time for members to stop for a coffee break and catch up with each other. (Thanks to Nick and Elaine for leading) Elaine Lambert

27 of us boarded the coach for the annual trip to the Exe estuary. We had a smooth journey to our starting point at Exminster Marshes Nature Reserve. An easy walk to the canal followed where we could look over the marshes to see Canada Geese, Brent Geese, Curlew and a Marsh Harrier hunting. We then walked on to The Turf pub following the raised canal path. Many Curlew, Widgeon, Shoveller, Teal and a solitary Chiffchaff were seen over the marshes with some spectacular flypasts of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Brent Geese. At the Turf the main attraction was the Long-billed Dowitcher in the channel near the canal lock gates where it was much photographed. Luckily, it stood next to a Redshank and a Greenshank giving a good size comparison. Further on there were many Avocet on the main river channel along with Dunlin and some distant Red Breasted Mergansers. Once we arrived at Powderham church to catch up with our coach and eat lunch we unfortunately discovered that the coach wouldn’t start. The hour and half delay wasn’t wasted as we wandered off to see Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Goldcrest in the churchyard trees. Also several Grey Herons in a heronry at the eastern edge of Powderham park. By the Starcross Yacht Club there was a flock of Turnstones doing their thing on the shore. On to Dawlish Warren for a brief visit to try and fail to find Cirl Bunting: Greenfinch had to suffice. Leaving at 16.45 for the drive home after 8 hrs of sunshine and a glorious day’s birding! Thanks to Judy for organising the trip and everyone for sharing scopes and knowledge. Alison Griffies

Eleven of us set off from a windy car park in Winscombe for a lovely walk on a grey February day. We headed up the path and across fields as a flock of Starlings flew over. As we watched a number of birds including Redwing, Chaffinch and Goldfinch moving along the hedgerows, a Green Woodpecker that had been feeding in the field flew up into the oak tree. Passing sheep fields alive with Jackdaws and Rooks, we made our way into the coppiced woodland which was seemingly devoid of birds on this windy morning and we headed uphill. A short detour took us onto private land (permission acquired) to the top of a disused quarry where we spotted a lovely male Bullfinch and enjoyed our coffee stop and wonderful views across to the Channel. Back on the main path, we caug ht a glimpse of a Kestrel as we made our way downhill, and further on we got a good view of the Kestrel sitting on a telegraph pole. We got back to the car park just as the rain started. 25 species were seen. Many thanks to Beth for leading. Sheila Langridge

Fourteen hardy souls gathered at the Griffin PH car park. After a rainy start, we entered a mature housing estate and were delayed by a barrage of song from unseen birds. We saw the usual Crows and Jackdaws and were then treated to a Red Kite sailing over. We saw various feeders and were delighted to see lots of Blue and Great Tits, Goldfinches and a Greenfinch on them. We then moved on to woodland beside the Dramway with very few birds to see. Stopping for coffee at the flood pond we noted Mallard and Moorhens. Moving on to Goose Green we saw flocks of Redwings. Across Siston Common we came to the brook watching for the resident Dipper, alas, to no avail. A tale of two habitats, lots of little birds in the gardens and not many in the woods and fields, nevertheless Alastair recorded a healthy 27 species. (Thanks to Geoff for leading) Geoff Hardman

Around 20 of us gathered in freezing but sunny conditions for a birding feast. Lacking Corn Bunting we had to be satisfied with two Grey Partridges, 200 Common Gulls and 165 Lapwings. Two Buzzards and a Kestrel perched about a horse paddock, overlooking ground feeding Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush, and Starlings. Along the side road was a sizeable flock of Fieldfares in the grasslands, and a Stonechat perched on tall stalks while a Linnet teased seeds from others. Passing a Skylark in full song, we saw a dozen Common Gulls before Red-legged Partridge, a flight of 45 Lapwings, six Stock Doves, a Red Kite, a Buzzard and also a Red Fox and a Hare. A Lesser Blackbacked Gull fed with more Common Gulls. A closer examination of eight Yellowhammers in a distant hedge revealed 14 Red-legged Partridges and then two Grey Partridges feeding in stubble. 120 Lapwings flew past before we tracked a flock of 21 Yellowhammers along a field margin where a Bullfinch broke cover. A ploughing tractor attracted three Buzzards, nine Pied Wagtails and four species of our commonest gulls. 36 bird species in total. (Thanks to Mike for leading) Mike Jackson

Nineteen walkers enjoyed a lovely sunny walk at Brean Down. The birdwatching started with Shelduck, Sanderling and Dunlin visible on the shorefront. We also saw Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Making our way up 213 steep steps we saw Stonechats, Robins, Blue Tits, Dunnocks, a Pheasant and a Wren. The weather was lovely and the views from the top were expansive. Not only we did we see a range of birds as we headed to the headland (Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Buzzard), we also came acr oss some slime mould. At Brean Fort we stopped for coffee. The birding highlight came towards the end of the walk as the Kestrel paid us another much closer visit, hovering beautifully just 50-60 metres away. Before descending to the car park, we looked over the Somerset Levels toward Brent Knoll and saw Little and Great White Egrets, a Grey Heron and a Cormorant. On the way down Ravens were seen. Thanks to Graham for leading. Tim Snowden

Twenty-five members met at the bottom of Burrington Combe on a rather overcast morning. We set off along a lane and then followed a stony path up through the woods until we reached the more open ground at the top of Burrington Ham. The woods were rather quiet, but Robins, Wrens, Blue Tits and Great Tits and several Coal Tits were seen as well as Pheasants, a Green Woodpecker, one or two Jays and several other corvids. We continued along the top of the Ham, where a Cormorant was seen flying in the distance, a potential Stonechat turned out to be a Robin, and a Buzzard was perched in a distant tree. Some of the group got a glimpse of a couple of Treecreepers and a Goldcrest in an ivy covered tree, and a Song Thrush flew across the path behind us. Our route then looped back down through the woodland, where a Nuthatch was spotted. Those of us lagging behind spied a single Goldfinch, and were treated to a fantastic, close-up view of a Kestrel on a nearby roof right at the end of the walk. A total of 25 species. Thanks to Clive for leading. Liz Hammond

Eighteen of us met at Steart Marshes for a cold frosty start with icy puddles and partially frozen lagoons. We covered a three mile loop showing off some of the best bits of the marshes. Highlights included seeing a Water Rail, a Little Stint, the odd Snipe and best of all, one ‘mega’ for most of us, a Least Sandpiper. Other birds of interest were Bullfinch, Marsh Harrier (distant), Curlews, 64 + Avocets, Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare, and a couple of Chiffchaffs by the Parrett Hide where we had a coffee break. The tide was well out letting us see several Redshanks, Canada Geese, and a mixture of Wigeon and Teal on the mud banks. Around 50 species of birds were noted on Bird track by Rosie, so many thanks to her and for everyone keeping their eyes wide open and ears pinned. A good day for all. (Thanks also to Nick and Elaine for leading) Nick Jobson-Wicks 

After a cold night with rain and a sprinkling of snow, 28 people gathered on a bright, sunny, but cold morning. The Three Brooks Nature Reserve was, for me, a completely new location. Though surrounded by roads, houses and the M4, it is a surprising natural oasis. We set off northwards through a muddy Savage’s Wood, quiet apart from an obliging Great Spotted Woodpecker that most of us managed to see. There were soon encouraging signs of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Jackdaws everywhere, pairing off for the Spring. From the top corner of the reserve, we turned back south to follow a brook where one person got a brief view of a Little Egret, Cormorants flew over and others saw a Stock Dove and briefly a Kestrel. After a stop for coffee, we went up a short rise into some scrubland, pleasant but, alas, an almost bird free zone. Finally down to a pool, which had Mallard, noisy Black-headed Gulls and nearby, Goldfinches. 24 species in all. Thanks to Jean for leading. Dru Brooke-Taylor

Over 20 of us gathered in the car park. The first excitement was a sighting of a female Merlin which had been around for a week or so preying on the Snipe. The duck numbers were good, with Teal and Wigeon making up the majority. A little searching revealed a small group of Pintail, but the Baikal Teal was not showing. Birds of prey were more distant, with Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Buzzard and the Merlin making appearances. Some members were fortunate to see a ring-tail Hen Harrier. Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail were heard regularly close to the hides. Most of the group then moved to the Westhay SWT reserve where we saw flocks of Long-tailed Tits and both Goldcrest and Chiffchaff while quartering Marsh Harriers gave much closer views than in the morning. Opposite the car park was mixed flock of three Great and nine Little Egrets. More noteworthy were the 200+ Cattle Egrets in the fields either side of the Burtle road on the way home. Three Egret species in a day is now the norm for the Somerset  Levels, though 41 species for the day was a relatively modest total. (Thanks to Giles for leading) Giles Morris