Field trip reports

Seven of us set off around the little harbour on an overcast and windy morning that did not bode well for passerines, and we searched in vain for small birds around the salt marsh. However, a Common Sandpiper was seen from the slipway and we scanned 70 Black-headed Gulls hoping for a Mediterranean Gull, with no success. 68 Mallards in their drab eclipse plumage drifted along the muddy creeks, and we had to look twice to identify one young Shelduck on its own. Three Dunlins were off and away, seen only in flight. There was a small roost of Little Egrets close to the Blind Yeo, which held seven Moorhens but nothing else. On along the shoreline, with great views of a Rock Pipit; down to Dowlais where the pool was dry, as usual in summer; then along the hedgerow which produced a Whitethroat or two amongst the Blue Tits; and beyond to the gate overlooking the River Kenn. Here at least you can be sure to find birds: a Grey Heron, more Shelducks and Mallard, and the wader roost holding 20 Oystercatchers, 37 Curlews and 38 Redshanks. On returning to the Pill we were surprised to find at least 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Kestrels, one Swallow, one Chiffchaff and two Linnets took the species total to 34. Many thanks to Rob Hargreaves for keeping the score. (Thanks to Jane for leading.) Jane Cumming

Sixteen of us set off on a fine sunny morning, House Sparrows chirping away as we approached the Common. Starlings and Wood Pigeons on nearby wires quietly watched us cross the cattle grid and a Green Woodpecker welcomed us noisily. Our leader called us to the gate overlooking the adjoining golf course where we enjoyed excellent views of a Mistle Thrush, posing perfectly on a grassy mound, a mere pitching wedge away. Following the western edge of the Common, the going became quite tricky at times where the ground had been heavily poached by the huge herd of bullocks we were about to encounter. The small trees and bushes along the fringe held plenty of interest, including Common Whitethroat, Great and Long-Tailed Tits and Chiffchaff. A Peregrine was heard and seen by at least one of us. At coffee time, House Martins were racing around and a Grey Heron drifted slowly across behind us. Returning across the middle of the Common into a fresh breeze, the absence of Skylarks had been noted when several obligingly appeared. A distant corvid was revealed by telescope to be a Rook. A certain member, spotting a patch of prickly vegetation, announced [predictably] “this’ll be where we see Goldfinches”. He was right. Our departure from the Common was marked by the same Green Woodpecker, and four Mallard seen on the stream near the cars took the total species to 32. An excellent walk in a great location. Many thanks to Alan for leading. Colin Hawkins

The heat put off a lot of people, rising to 26C+ and making it very hot in full sun, and we clocked in with 12 of us. Up on the golf course were a dozen or so Herring Gulls and two Lesser Black-backed, a Pheasant and some Jackdaws, also Blue and Long-tailed Tits, and Bullfinch was heard. No Swallows at the cottages, but some later over the fields. We then fought the brambles on the path between the golf course and the coast, [which the leader had tried to battle with on the recce], seeing very few birds but several Gatekeeper butterflies and a Speckled Wood. Once out in the field for coffee break we could enjoy the swirling House Martins and the Goldfinches and Greenfinches in the trees around the garden over the wall and Buzzard and Raven were heard overhead. From the coast path, nice and shady, we could hear the lapping of the incoming tide and spot the odd Herring Gull and three Black-headed Gulls, then make out an Oystercatcher on the rocks close to the water, then another more obvious one further on. There was a Song Thrush in the next field. At Walton Common Ian alerted us to the calls of Treecreeper (he eventually saw two), Nuthatch, Goldcrest and Coal Tit. Yaffling Green  Woodpeckers were a feature of the walk and two young Robins were seen. Thanks to Graham for keeping the bird list – 34 species. (Thanks to Judy for leading) Judy Copeland

Twenty-one of us birders met in a car park in Frampton on Severn. The weather was dull with a threat of rain. Luckily we had only light drizzle for a few minutes and the morning ended in bright sunshine. The habitat was varied consisting of a sailing lake and pool, mature trees, hedgerows, open grassland and fields of wheat and beautiful wild flowers. On leaving the car park we heard a Song Thrush, but were unable to see him amongst the leaves. We spent some time by the sailing lake where we saw four Cormorants, three Common Terns, two Oystercatchers, a Grey Wagtail, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull struggling to eat what could have been a large worm or an elver. Amazingly, he managed to gobble it whole. We then walked the perimeter of the Frampton Estate and Lake. Swallows and House Martins flew over head, we heard a Cetti’s Warbler, saw Nuthatch, 20 Jackdaws, 50 Rooks, two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, Buzzard, a Jay, six House Sparrows, Wren, and a Blackbird, a Blue Tit and six Goldfinches. Towards the end of the walk at the far end of the lake there were 48 Mute Swans, a Little Grebe, a Mallard, two Great Crested Grebes, 16 Greylag Geese and four Barnacle Geese. A Greenfinch was heard when we returned to the car park making a total count of 40 species. Thanks to Alastair for leading a very splendid walk. Joyce Donkor

Seven of us met to explore the largest area of ancient woodland in the South West. The weather was overcast to start so we did not see as many butterflies as expected, but numbers were also clearly down too, as has been noticed in many places this summer. Marsh Tit and Nuthatch showed well as we parked our cars. The walk down to the Little Avon River was still quite muddy which shows how well this area holds moisture and supports the amazing wildflowers that we saw. Groups of Coal Tit flitted about, with several more Marsh Tits and also Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard. At least two groups of Spotted Flycatchers were around, including one who obligingly sat out in the open to allow the group good views. Butterflies became more active as it warmed up, with two Silver-Washed Fritillaries showing nicely at the end. A total of 28 bird species and eight butterfly species were seen. Many thanks to Linda for leading and to Mark Coller for sharing his expertise about all things natural with us. Nick Page

Twenty members met for the walk. It was cloudy, 15C, with a breeze but the threatened showers didn’t really appear. A Kestrel was hovering by the church as we set off. We walked up the western hedge boundary and saw Skylarks in flight and perched on the bracken. We took a path behind the old football pitch and found a Linnet family feeding young and two Whitethroats also in the bush. We also saw a Chiffchaff with caterpillars but none of the resident Willow Warblers or Stonechats were sighted. We all had good views of a singing Yellowhammer and a Buzzard hovering possibly with prey. We enjoyed our coffee break by the Round House dog kennels that supports a House Martin colony. The sun broke through and the Skylarks sang. Some of the group saw Chaffinches bathing in a puddle and Goldfinches here also. Our walk along the back hedge didn’t yield the usual Blackcaps or Thrushes but a fleeting Bullfinch was seen as well as a Green Woodpecker. We detoured to the top of Kingdown Lane to see the Nettle-leaved Bellflower and came across a Common Scorpionfly, Soldier beetle and silver Y. Meadow Browns and Ringlet butterflies were seen and some members spotted a couple of Marbled Whites and a Small Skipper. We saw several birds we couldn’t identify skulking in foliage and a pair of Buzzards on our return journey. 21 species seen. Thanks to Graham for recording the birds. (Thanks to Melanie for leading). Melanie Patch

Fourteen birders set out without their delayed leader. Starlings and two varieties of gull, Lesser Black-backed and Herring, and a Sparrowhawk were seen and Blackcaps and Chiffchaff were singing as we carried on down the hill where Rich met us at the bottom. A Song Thrush was singing loudly as we approached the Lake to find Coots and Moorhens with small families and a Grey Heron having a wash and brush up in the shallows of the first island. Many Mallards and Feral Pigeons and 22 Mute Swans made up the main contingent on the Lake though there was a single Pink-footed Goose, probably an escapee. Three lucky members at the back of the group saw a pair of Kingfishers feeding their fledgling on the second island. Heading for our coffee stop across the river from a Kingfisher nest site, we heard both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker. On the return journey four Swifts zoomed overhead and we clocked up the only Robin of the day. Thanks to Graham for the bird list and thanks to Rich for leading. Alan Craddock

There was a good turnout of 22 members for our walk from Compton Dando. We had a good start as a Red Kite was seen in flight just as we were about to start and as we walked through the village, we added Jackdaw and Goldfinch but we did not see any of the usual species from the bridge over the River Chew. In the adjoining field we heard the first of five Chiffchaffs as well as Blackcap and Wren. Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and Blue Tit were seen. We all had good views of a juvenile Green Woodpecker that was perched on a branch of a fallen tree. After a quite steep climb a Greenfinch was heard and a Buzzard was seen in the distance as was a Herring Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. After leaving Woollard we saw a group of about eight Long-tailed Tits and walking alongside the river a Moorhen was noted. A bit later a few of us had a very fleeting view of two Bullfinches in flight and then a Kingfisher was spotted flying along the river by a small number of the group. As we came to a flower meadow, we were fortunate to see Swallows, Swifts and House Martins more or less all at the same time. At the end of the walk a Pied Wagtail was added to the list. This was an enjoyable walk and many thanks to Graham for keeping a list of species seen, or heard. We had a respectable total of 32 species for the walk. (Thanks to Mike for leading). Mike Landen

Nine of us met at 20:00 in the Speech House car park, Forest of Dean. It was good to welcome three who were new to the group. The weather was fine and mild as we set off on our roundabout route to the top of the hill. Walking up through the trees, Siskins and Goldcrests were heard, followed by more vocal Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Later a Whitethroat added its voice. Stonechat, Stock Dove, Buzzard and Jay were all seen. We were early to arrive at the top, so we went on to look across to Cinderford, being serenaded by Song Thrushes. Arriving at 21:15 at the usual Nightjar spot we only had to wait 15 minutes before we heard our first ‘churr’. We were pleased to hear a Woodcock and a distant Tawny Owl; then the churring really got going with a few “quacks” and finally a wonderful flying display; some of our photographers managed some shots in spite of the poor light, showing the white spots on the wings and the distinctive shape. More than satisfied, at 22:30 we started back to the car park, looking out above for bats and below for the toadlets crossing our path. Our meeting finished at 23:00; everyone was very happy with the experience, it had been a great walk giving us 19 species including the very special Nightjars. Thanks to Robert for leading three meetings in succession! Anne Crowe

On a hot midsummer morning 26 of us met at St Mary’s Church Saltford for a beautiful three mile walk, a Buzzard hanging high in the sky above us. As we set off along back lanes down to the marina a Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker were seen and Chiffchaffs were heard. At the marina we watched a Grey Wagtail looking for food on astroturf in the play area and we were treated to a great view of a Grey Heron flying up the river in front of us. Our walk took us back along The Shallows. Many birds were sensibly keeping in the shade but one Jackdaw was seen perched on a chimney pot panting, head flung back and bill gaping open. We continued following the river seeing Swifts, a Red Kite directly overhead with the sun shining through its wings, and an impressive group of Crows perched high in the tops of trees. We stopped for a break at The Jolly Sailor (we resisted the temptation to go in!) before making our way back along the sides of fields. An enjoyable if somewhat hot morning’s walk. Thanks Robert for leading again. Gill Phillips