Field trip reports

Five adventurous birders ignored the amber weather warnings to meet at Slimbridge for the first BOC gathering of 2025. We made a dry start in the Peng Observatory where we had excellent views of beautiful Pintail and many noisy Bewick’s Swans. In the Rushy hide we managed to get brilliant views of a Spoonbill feeding, sweeping its bill from side to side. From there, we also saw a Black Swan and a lone Curlew with two leg tags. The second significant spot of the day was a Water Rail in the company of a Moorhen. The bird feeders were proving to be attractive to Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch with Robin and Dunnock on the ground below. We enjoyed a coffee in the Kingfisher Kitchen where the land outside is being transformed into a new Estuary Zone. Three of us then called it a day whilst two continued to the Kingfisher Hide where they saw Little Stint, Ringed and Golden Plover, two Snipe and a Marsh Harrier. A total of some 37 species. Thanks to Graham and Di for leading. Alison Hooper

Thirty-four of us gathered on a mild, blustery but dry day for a very enjoyable walk to bring in the New Year, with a new route and new leader. Caron had negotiated the route with a local farmer, and told us lots of interesting details about the area, including the Battle of Hinton fought in AD577 between the West Saxons and Britons. Starting at Dyrham village we went along the Cotswold Way past the Hill Fort, then back through fields (sheep, turnips etc). 33 bird species were seen. The star attraction was a female Kestrel which was very happy to be admired. Other birds included a pair of Bullfinches, Redwings (c.60), a Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Raven, Grey Heron, two Buzzards, two more Kestrels and fields full of Common Gulls (c.85), ten Pied Wagtails and Crows. And there was a fleeting view of a Muntjac Deer. Thanks to Caron for leading and for the mince pies. David Gould

A dozen members met for the Christmas Eve walk on a day that was initially grey but got gradually brighter. We paused at the church to see the ‘Slave Grave’, then walked up the broad ride seeing a Song Thrush and two Jays. Coal Tits were singing their slurred two tone call in the treetops. As we reached the stream, I spotted a female Grey Wagtail hopping across the rocks. We climbed up to the castle, passing Robber’s Cave en route, with Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits for company. There we stopped for coffee (and some very welcome mince pies). The route back to the car park passed through beech woods where Nuthatches could be heard calling. A rather disappointing 20 species identified, including a Goldcrest seen by others. (Thanks to Di for leading) Peter Bryant

Sixteen birders set off from the nature reserve entrance on a dull, slightly drizzly day, but the rain soon stopped. A flock of 19 Long-tailed Tits were seen at the start. We walked along the edge of a field with a Magpie and a Blackbird in the grass, while hearing a Song Thrush singing from the trees. A Wren flew across, the first of three seen, and Jackdaw and Woodpigeons sat in the trees. We then entered the semi-natural ancient woodland, where Blue Tits and Great Tits and three Goldcrests were seen. We had coffee in a clearing with new tree planting replacing felled diseased Ash trees, and had good views of a flock of nine goldfinches and two Jays. On returning along a slightly boggy field, a Green Woodpecker was spotted flying up from the grass, perching for a while on a branch, and some people saw a second one in the wood. A total of 35 Redwings flew over and about 100 Starlings were perched on overhead wires. Other birds seen included Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail and Pheasant. A total of 24 species altogether .Thanks to Alan for leading, and keeping the bird list Kate Cashmore

Twelve of us met at Herriotts, with some faces that were new to me. ‘Good to meet you’. As we arrived the start of a mostly blue sky opened up. In the hour we spent there, we found nine Shelducks, 20 Shovelers, three Pintails, 40 Teals, twelve Pochards, two Water Rails, 25 Lapwings, 80 Cormorants, three species of Herons (Ardea are Herons) a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, a Bearded Tit seen by two people as well as a Cetti’s Warbler. There was a lot of discussion about a Yellow-legged Gull, put down as a Lesser Blacked-back Gull, though later it was confirmed as Yellow-legged Gull. Going round to Heron’s Green, a Red Kite and Redwings flew over. We added three Goldeneyes (one male close in), two Little Grebe and a few Chaffinches. By now, the cold had become too much for one member, which was a shame, as at Woodford, out the wind, it was very pleasant. Along Walley Bank we found eight beautiful Goosanders, Red Kite again and Buzzard, another static Kingfisher, both Woodpeckers, one Jay, two Goldcrests charmingly picking insects as they climbed up, and then fluttering down like leaves, three kinds of Tits, and a Song Thrush. Most left for lunch at this point, but for those that stayed a Slavonian Grebe was seen from Stratford, and back at Herriotts as dusk arrived, about a 15,000 Starling murmuration, and over a 100 Egrets coming to roost, with Cattle Egrets the most common. 55 species for the day. Thanks to Anne for her assistance in leading the walk with me Robert Hargreaves

Thirty-one members met at the Riverside pub car park for a somewhat cold and windy walk along the Shallows of the River Avon, with a higher ground option for those who didn’t mind braving the muddy hill. Despite having less than ideal conditions, there was plenty to see – 29 species in total, including fifty winter visiting Redwings, two Mistle Thrushes, a Kingfisher and a very relaxed Great Spotted Woodpecker enjoying some preening time at the top of a tall pine. Plenty of Goldfinches and over a dozen Long-tailed Tits were flocking and calling in the trees, eventually answered by the ‘prokk’ of a Raven. The gulls in the cow pastures across the river from us provided a very nice side by side comparison of species: Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull all in one field. About the time the wind picked up and temperature dropped, it was time to enjoy a lovely Christmas lunch at the Riverside Inn. Many thanks to Robert for leading us on this one, to all those who organised it and to everyone who came along. Teresa Patten

A fresh morning, with disappearing mist suggested a sunny day, but this never quite materialised and the 16 of us had pleasant enough light cloud and fair visibility. Immediately a Kestrel flew into a nearby ash tree, but that was the only real interest for the first mile or so through the terracing, buddle pits and disturbed ground of former lead mining. By the time we had got to the junction with Black Rock path we had seen eight species: a big flock of Jackdaws in beech trees to the south, together with Starlings and Rooks and a Raven. It was a surprise to have not seen more, only one Robin and no Blackbirds so far. After coffee, the continuing closure of Long Wood forced a longer detour on the west side to Charterhouse Farm. Just as well, as we saw 20 or so Redwings, a dozen Goldfinches and a Buzzard, all otherwise possibly missed had we stayed on the shorter eastern side. A very confiding Roe Deer was grazing on some winter wheat, two more were in the distance and a pair of Stonechats, another Redwing and a Wren were in fence-side brambles. Now on the road, we found the copses and hedges largely quiet until we reached Manor Farm where we saw House Sparrows, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail and a very confiding Wren. Robin sightings were now ten and several Blackbirds had been seen. Some members had seen Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Red Kite and a Common Gull and a  Chiffchaff was heard, taking the species count to 28. The walk was rounded off by our first Kestrel reappearing. Many thanks to Graham and Sid the sausage dog who took it in turns to Iead.  Simon Reece

A dozen members had a nice walk around the Park, all benefiting from our leader’s extensive knowledge of the site. The walk down to the river yielded several Goldcrests, Wrens, Blue Tits and Long-tailed Tits as well as two Song Thrushes and a Jay. Three Redwings flew over us. On the river path, we immediately stopped to enjoy a Kingfisher perched a few yards away. On the playing fields opposite there was the bizarre site of a Buzzard standing on the grass apparently holding court to a group of Crows. A Grey Wagtail was heard as we walked towards the weir. We went up the hill towards Stapleton Church where there were a good number of Goldcrests and, best of all, two Firecrests. Although they were highly mobile and partially hidden by the ivy surrounding the trees, we saw enough of the field marks to confirm the identification. A greenish-looking Chiffchaff and a couple of Coal Tits were also flitting through the trees on the hill. On the return route, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was found high in a tree near some Goldfinches. We walked back to the lake where the female Tawny Owl was obligingly sitting in its box, allowing good views for all. The usual wildfowl were on the lake, including roosting Cormorants; two Herons were also spotted. A lovely walk rewarded with some of the Park’s star birds, mostly seen at close range. 36 species. Thanks to Rich for leading. Peter Bryant

A large group of 30 gathered at Snuff Mills to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary of Tuesday walks and we managed to record a total of 30 species as well ! After a weekend of storms and floods we were blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine. Setting off along the path beside the raging river, we walked up away from the shaded valley, where a Song Thrush called, out into open and sunnier fields. As we crossed the field a small flock of Fieldfares flew over, and among the shrubs and trees were seen a few Blue Tits and Great Tits. A sudden high screeching caught all our attention as a Parakeet flew over. We paused for the usual coffee break and were treated by Graham producing paper cups, champagne and cake! Once that had been enjoyed and a group photo taken we proceeded on our (merry) way. Following the path down to the river again we saw more Blue Tits, Long-tailed  Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Goldcrest. There were Blackbirds among the fallen leaves, and Wrens and Robins among the shrubs. The river was a raging torrent of churning brown water but a Grey Wagtail was seen flitting among the rocks. The path was totally flooded in places, meaning that those with wellingtons waded through and others had to try for higher ground. A special anniversary walk enjoyed by all. Thanks to Graham for leading. Di Bunniss

Just six intrepid walkers met at The Upton Inn. We set off down the hill cheered by a Chaffinch and a Pied Wagtail landing on the path before us. Jackdaws greeted us as we came into Bitton but as we skirted the churchyard and took to the soggy fields the rain turned to snow! Small birds were scarce, except by the dung heap, which gave us Blackbirds, Robin, a silent Dunnock and a small flock of Goldfinches. A substantial bridge gave us welcome shelter for our coffee stop. Snow continued as we threaded our way along the cycle track and river bank. The excitement of seeing a large group of birds in the tree tops was dulled when they turned out to be Wood Pigeons, yet interesting perched so still and in notable numbers, a hundred being recorded. Finally, we trekked back up the hill from Swineford, thrilled when someone spotted a Green Woodpecker. It had been a walk of wet optics, poor visibility and miserable conditions. Birdlife was dominated by Corvids and Wood Pigeons. Nevertheless with jolly company and a sense of achievement we had enjoyed the walk, which gave us 26 species and good exercise. Thanks to our leader Geoff. Anne Crowe