Field trip reports

Eighteen people met on a mild dry day to walk past Castle Farm on a circuit of small back roads. We managed to see many of the classic Cotswolds uplands winter birds one might hope for: scattered Yellowhammers, up to fifty Corn Buntings, sixteen Golden Plover, two Lapwing, a handful of Red-legged Partridges, and a few Skylarks singing. In the rather poor light, Jane helped us recognize Golden Plover in flight by their close formation wheeling together, their sharply pointed wings and their pale undersides. Of note we also saw Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle and Song Thrush, four Stonechats, large flocks of Jackdaws constantly passing overhead, five Buzzards and one Kestrel. As usual we looked for Little Owls and didn’t find them – we each seem to know one tumbledown building in this area where someone USED to see them! A total of 34 species. Thanks to Jane Cumming for leading. Lois Pryce

It was a beautiful winter’s morning as 16 members set out from Bridgeyate. Although cold it was pleasant in the sunshine so we were all looking forward to a good morning’s birding. In the car park and on the first part of the walk through a modern housing estate we started our list with a number of common species which included Starling, Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Pied Wagtail. As we left the houses a Jay gave us a fleeting, but nice view and approaching a brook some of the group saw a Grey Wagtail. We also saw a small party of Long-tailed Tits with a total of 17 for this species by the end of the walk. We crossed the A420 and walked along the Warmley Forest Trail. Not far along the trail we had ten to fifteen minutes of excellent birding. Firstly, we found a group of Siskin feeding at the top of a couple of Alders and then a little further on a second group, making a total of about 20. We met up with a member who was birding on his own who mentioned that there were Lesser Redpolls around and sure enough within a couple of minutes we had good views of a pair. We also saw three Bullfinches with the two males looking particularly striking in the sunlight. At one point there appeared to be Bullfinches everywhere and we had a total of twelve. To finish off this brilliant period we saw two Goldcrests one of which gave a very good close up view. Later on we saw a single Redwing, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Buzzard and a very nice view of a Sparrowhawk which flew fairly low, directly over our heads. To complete the morning’s birding we added Black-headed Gull, Pheasant, Mistle Thrush, Raven and some of us heard a Green Woodpecker. This was a very enjoyable walk which had some real highlights and it was certainly worth negotiating some quite heavy mud, as well as a couple of tricky stiles. We had a final total of 34 species. Thanks to Nick for keeping the list and to David Body for leading such a successful walk. Mike Landen  

On a fine but very cold and blustery morning 29 walkers met at Heron’s Green on the west side of CVL. The lake held Mute Swan, Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and a male Goldeneye. Crossing the road we found a small party of Long-tailed Tits in the rough vegetation by Heron’s Green pool. We walked up the lanes past the farms to Breach Hill where we had marvellous views of Blagdon Lake. The highlights were at least four sightings of Bullfinches. There were also Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Blue and Great Tit. Five swans flying towards Blagdon Lake were identified as Bewick’s Swans. We stopped at the entrance to Blagdon Lake where Teal called in the flooded areas. There were peanuts hung up at the Ubley Hatchery where we enjoyed a Nuthatch and two Coal Tits feeding alongside the Blue and Great Tits. On the way back to CVL along two miles of lane we saw Redwing, Fieldfare and nine Little Egrets in a field. A Goldcrest gave us really close views in the hedge. Our final species total was 42. This included a Buzzard, a possible Peregrine and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard. The weather was kind and it did not start to rain until we were nearly back at the cars. (Thanks to John and Sue Prince for leading.) Sue Prince

Twelve members met on a dry overcast morning. From the car park on the adjoining field were some Common and Herring Gulls accompanied by two Mistle Thrushes. A Song Thrush was calling nearby with Blue, Great Tits and a Cormorant flew overhead. As we made our way through the village it was very satisfying to find a great number of House Sparrows. Into our first field it became very evident that the ground would be very muddy and so it proved – all the way round. A Goldcrest was seen by a number of people, and then a single Redwing on a bush was seen by most people – eventually. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Coal Tit were noted in an isolated tree, and later a Buzzard sitting in another tree giving everyone good views, with, close by, a flock of Fieldfares behind, on other trees. At our coffee stop a flight of 40/50 Lapwings was seen at a distance. At Nutgrove Farm a lone Pied Wagtail was spied on an old field roller, and a Jay, a Nuthatch, and two Raven were seen at Compton Common. The River Chew only gave us Moorhen and Mallard and at Publow Church a flock of Long-tailed Tits flitting around the trees, where finally a lone Treecreeper was noted making its way from tree to tree by the river. We also saw Robins and Blackbirds all the way round. A total of 35 species seen and heard. (Thanks for leading Geoff). Geoff Harris

We had a lucky break in the weather which was generally fine until the end, when rain arrived. Allowing for early arrivals and late-comers 30 members gathered for the walk. We trooped off to the Holden Tower and hides adjacent to the Tack piece to enjoy the ‘feast’ of birds before us. A large flock of Lapwings and Golden Plover were frequently ‘spooked’ and, sure enough, a Peregrine was soon seen out on the edge of the Dumbles. It must have been responsible for the flights. Other waders included Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Redshank and Dunlin. A few Ruff were present too, but more difficult to pin down. A small flock of White-fronted Geese were spread out beyond the waders and ducks (see below) and we managed to sort out the few Greenland race amongst them. There was also a scattering of Canada, Greylag and Barnacle Geese as well as Bewick’s Swans. Ducks included Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard and we also found the three Scaup outside Peter Scott’s House! Before that a lovely Sparrowhawk gave prolonged views as it sat on a fence post just below the tower. It was, no doubt, looking for lesser fry and we did encounter a number of passerines – Blue and Great Tits, Robin, Wren, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Starling, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. Other notables included Little and Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret and Grey Heron, Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Oh, and I almost forgot – Buzzard! I’ve mentioned only about two-thirds of the 60 species noted. A splendid start to the year! Thanks to Judy Copeland for organising the lunch and I usually get thanked for leading, although I am often the one who is led! Robin Prytherch

For the last Tuesday walk of the year a group of 31 set off from Severn Beach on a bright December morning. The good weather forecast and the opportunity of some exercise after the Christmas festivities ensured a high turnout! The estuary was at the top of the tide as we set off so we concentrated on the bushes and trees at the opposite side of the path to the estuary. We started with a flock of about 30 House Sparrows in one bush and quickly added Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Robin and Magpie as well as a Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove. There were flocks of Starlings of about 22 and 11 and 25 birds and we also saw Dunnock and Wren. Keeping an eye on the estuary gave us good numbers of Black-headed Gull and a couple of Curlews flying south west. We passed under the ‘new’ Severn Bridge and as we reached more open ground we saw eight Goldfinches) and 15 Meadow Pipits. Approaching Northwick Warth we had the nice sight of a flock of about 120 Lapwings (we saw another flock of about 240 birds later). We spent some time at the Warth as there was the usual variety of wetland birds and, of course, it gave us the chance to take our 11 am stop for a drink. There were very good numbers of birds around that included 59 Oystercatcher, 500 Widgeon, 28 Redshank, 24 Shelduck, 170 Dunlin, 155 Teal, 60 Shoveler and seven Gadwall. We also saw Mute Swan, Grey Heron and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese. At this point some of the group returned to Severn Beach. Those of us who carried on saw a Grey Wagtail and had excellent views of a Stonechat. Further sightings included Pochard, Pied Wagtail, Common Gull, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe and some of the group saw a Reed Bunting. Thank you to David Body for agreeing to lead ‘at the last minute’ and to Nick Hawkridge for keeping his usual accurate bird list and we finished with a nice round total of 50 species. Mike Landen    

Overcast, but still shirtsleeves weather (for some!) on this solstice day with a temperature very close to that of the summer solstice! We 30 gathered to pay homage to the bird population of the River Frome and Vassall’s Park. Moorhen was the first species – two bobbing in the strong current and perilously close to the weir. In the trees on the south side of the river the first Goldcrest were sighted; never still, needle-beaked, miniature dynamos. Not much further into the wood a straggling party of Long-tailed Tit moved about with Blue and Great Tits. A brilliant Jay was admired by us but was not on too friendly terms with the cackling Magpie who were seen over every leg of our walk. A Peregrine was heard and then seen by some of those lurking at the back of the string of walkers, and another spied a Redwing disappearing into a holly bush – never to emerge while watched. Our coffee stop produced a flash of yellow which turned out to be a Green Woodpecker, who gave most of the diners a good display. Through the park and down towards Frenchay bridge where the treetops were simply alive with little birds: Goldcrest, Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tit – at least seven of each species all feeding wildly. A Nuthatch close by showed how tiny the others were. A quick look upstream over the bridge for a Kingfisher, but nothing – ah, but there was! Sharp eyes found one low down with his belly facing to show creamy pink. It flew most obligingly downstream affording most of us a good lens full. A dog flushed a female Grey Wagtail when we continued downriver, where a Grey Heron got up and demonstrated its flying skills, threading those vast wings through the brush and trees. Our final close encounter with a male Kingfisher was on crossing the footbridge, where it perched within a few feet of us – stunning. Some of the party enjoyed a Sparrowhawk at close range, but everyone stopped to watch a diaphanously-branched Alder, top heavy with more Goldcrest. The final total of 33 was pretty good for this mid-winter day. (Many thanks for leading Nick.) Nick Hawkridge

It was mild and murky as 33 of us set off, the poor light not aiding identification. This was a shorter than usual walk – a prelude to the Christmas lunch – but it proved very productive. Led jointly by Peter Holbrook and Duncan and Pat Gill, we heard Raven and in a Lime tree saw a mixed flock of Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Greenfinches. Assorted gulls were in the fields, including 150 Common Gulls. Then came the only Buzzard of the day, plus 50 Starlings, followed by large numbers of Corvids, including Jackdaw “grooming” sheep. On the first lake were ten Goosanders – equal numbers of male and female – and a Grey Heron was perched attentively in a tree above the water. Most of us had good views of two Kingfishers at the second lake, where fisheries staff were hauling in a huge net to remove thousands of tiny fish from the over-populated lake (presumably something not appreciated by the Kingfishers!).A flock of 40 Linnet was seen, then a Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail, Long-tailed Tits, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Dunnock and Goldcrest. A total of 43 species, the count being taken by Nick Hawkridge. 47 of us later attended the festive lunch at the Riverside Inn, Saltford, where Mark Watson thanked Peter for organising the event and told us that, in 2015, 23 leaders (including David Tombs, who had led 163 walks since 1994) led 52 walks. Mark, who appealed for more members to volunteer to lead walks in 2016, was presented with a birding book by Nick as a thank you for organising the Tuesday walks. John Beaven

Ferrybridge immediately rewarded us with 30 plus Brent Geese and 20 plus Mediterranean Gulls. A Skylark dropped over and the first of many Turnstones flew round the shop. In the Harbour there were long discussions over a diver, Black-throated or Great Northern, and an auk. Just as we got them in the scope they’d dive again. We finally decided on Great Northern and Razorbill. There were also about 30 Mergansers. At the end of the day they were by the shore at Fleet. At Portland Castle the Black Redstart eluded us, but another Razorbill, and Great Northern Diver were close in, with Shags sitting among the Cormorants, and Rock Pipits flitting about. As we left, a Chiffchaff popped out of a hedge. A Portland Bill sea watch gave Gannets, Kittiwake, Fulmar, endless Guillemot and Razorbills and seven Scoter. As usual the Little Owl was perched under the rock in the quarry, and three Buzzards sat in line. As at Battery Point, the Purple Sandpipers were nowhere to be seen. Calling in at Lodmoor on the way home there were three Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Dunlin. There were eight species of ducks, the Teal only 20 feet away. The Lapwing flew up and a Marsh Harrier dropped into the reeds, and then flying across the reeds was a Merlin. Altogether 60 species were seen. Thanks to Sue and John Prince for leading. Robert Hargreaves  

42 people met, with the weather warm and bright to start. The sea front was alive with activity, seeing Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtail, a tree full of Starlings, Goldfinch, three Reed Buntings, a Curlew, two Ringed Plovers, and Common Gull. On the lake were seen swimming Greylag Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan and many Black-headed Gulls. We then made our way to Battery Point and as the tide was out the Purple Sandpipers were not seen but three Rock Pipits were. We made our way through East Wood seeing Blue, Great and Coal Tits and, also seen by some, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Once we got to the pier we found two Great Black-backed Gulls, Grey Heron, Redshank and approx 800/1000 Dunlins feeding on the mud across from the dock. About this time the heavens opened with a very heavy downpour and at the end of the dock was a lone Cormorant and 20 odd Canada Geese. A total of 39 species seen, so not quite our target of one bird species each. (Thanks Geoff.) Geoff Harris