Field trip reports

Thirty-four members turned up for a beautiful four mile walk through the estate, taking an alternative route through woodland, because the deer park was temporarily closed. Smaller birds were very thin on the ground – Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were seen but no Nuthatches or Treecreepers. Jays called from the woodland and two Buzzards overhead were being mobbed by a crow. It was good to see Fieldfares and Redwings back, and some lucky birders had a Bullfinch towards the end of the walk. 21 species were seen but lack of smaller birds was more than made up by the autumn colours, the carpets of fallen leaves and the orange, red, yellow and white Waxcaps in the meadows. Many thanks, Graham, a lovely walk. Jacky Tonkin

Eleven people met up at the Wetlands, greeted by some blue sky breaking a fortnight of cyclonic gloom. Multiple Cetti’s Warblers were calling everywhere. The visitor centre area and pond gave us Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Magpies, Goldfinches, Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and a Pied Wagtail. On the way to the main path we had some good views of Greenfinches and Dunnocks and ‘peeping’ Bullfinches. A regular told us about the large flock of Bearded Tits seen within the last hour; expectations raised we moved on to the reed beds. A fleeting glimpse of a Cetti’s Warbler hopping over a reed clump and multiple Wrens and Robins and as we approached the coast a couple of stragglers heard a single ping, was it a Beardie? Along the coastline, the tide was lowish and hosted 300+ Shelducks, 60+ Curlews and a brief murmuration of Dunlins before they vanished into a creek. Other sightings were m any Black-headed Gulls, a couple of Grey Herons and Redshanks. Some persistent scope-work revealed four Grey Plovers and individual Dunlins. Some Stonechats, Reed Buntings and a pair of battling Dunnocks gave us a show on the closer shore. A Water Rail squealed behind us while a Cormorant bat-signalled on a pylon. Distant Redwing and Peregrine were also seen. Wandering back through the woodland, much canopy cheeping; amongst the Long-tailed Tits were Chaffinches, Siskin, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a rosy-chested Redpoll ended the walk with a real treat. 38 species, excluding Bearded Tit. Some went on to Goldcliff after lunch and added Golden Plover, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit. Thanks Peter for leading. Ian Price

The meeting place for 20 members was the car park at the Weston Sewage Treatments Works. From the car park we saw a large flock of Canada Geese, with the total count for the morning being 100. Our route followed part of the Brean Down Way which was opened in 2017 and runs from Weston-super-Mare to the fort on Brean Down. We only walked as far as The Great Bird Screen of Brean which separates walkers and cyclists from the birds in the River Axe, whilst still providing some viewing opportunities. From here we saw Wigeon (36), Lapwing (60), Snipe, Redshank, Curlew and Teal among other species. In total the group recorded 47 species including Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, Skylark, Reed Bunting and Redwing. Many thanks to Jane for an enjoyable and productive morning. Beth Yates Please note the car park is only open on weekdays, Monday to Friday 08:00 – 15:30.

Thirteen of us gathered in the National Trust car park in the fog and light rain for the four mile walk through Woodchester Park, near Stroud. Walking down the driveway to the Mansion we didn’t see or hear many birds, but we did admire the Belted Galloways carrying out their conservation grazing in the parkland. Once past the mansion – thanks Di for the history of the site (https://www.woodchestermansion.org.uk/), we climbed into woodland, where although still raining, we saw birds! In a clearing there was a mixed flock containing Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatch and Goldcrest. Once at the top lake we had a brief stop at the old boat house then on past the lake where we saw three Mallards having a good preen on a fallen tree. Further on, by the next dam two noisy Goldcrests were flitting amongst some ivy and a large flock of Long- tailed Tits were moving around the trees. The rain was easing but we decided to turn back on the other side of the lake, where we watched a Kestrel hunting in the recently felled conifer plantation now left to its own devices. Further on two Great Spotted Woodpeckers provided us with pleasing views. Back now to the mansion house for a quick lunch stop before heading up the hill to the car park. (Thanks to Di for leading)   Alison Griffies

Eleven walkers met during a lucky interlude of mild and still weather after days of torrential rain, and it was generally reasonable underfoot. Overlooking Tickenham and Nailsea Moors, we saw a Hobby, Buzzards and Kestrels, Great White and Little Egret with Rooks, Grey Herons and Stonechat, and hundreds of Black-headed Gulls on flooded areas with Herring Gulls and Mallards. The Yeo was fuller than we’d ever seen it, racing along and breaching its embankments to flood lower ground at one point, with Cetti’s Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Swallows over the meadows. Single Black-headed and Common Gulls were seen on the golf course. In the woods were Green Woodpeckers, Chiffchaffs, many Jays hustling for acorns, and Tits including Coal and Long-tailed. And singing Robins were everywhere – heard but not seen! At Cadbury Camp were Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, a tree full of Greenfinches, Mistle Thrushes, and Raven above. Total species, 40. (Thanks to Jan and Lois for leading.)  Lois Pryce 

Twenty-four walkers gathered outside the village hall on a sunny day. Graham had kindly stepped in to lead at short notice and displayed excellent map reading skills. An early highlight was a group of over 500 Swallows on wires over the ploughed fields. The coffee break Buzzard was trumped by one of three Red Kites. The woodland was quiet but the list does include Jay, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, and Goldfinch. Approaching the Badminton estate on our return there was a large corvid flock in tall trees, comprising over 200 Jackdaws and Rooks. The estate itself was short of birds, with a man and his dog at the lake. We had lovely close views of a Grey Wagtail on a roof in the village as we approached the hall. There were a total of 22 species seen or heard on this very pleasant walk. Many thanks to Graham for leading.  Gareth Roberts

Just six of us, including a new member, enjoyed a walk around CSC in fine and dry weather. We spotted a bright Chiffchaff as we passed the Golf Club entrance but the Common itself was inexplicably quiet (the warblers reported the day before had seemingly moved on). The most numerous birds were Goldfinches – a ‘charm’ of c80 flew around us as we walked. Notable birds overhead included a Grey Heron, four Ravens, a distant Buzzard and a Mute Swan (which is not that typical for CSC). Three small birds flying over our heads were Meadow Pipits. A Green Woodpecker, a Jay and half a dozen Skylark were spotted before we finished with an (unsuccessful) hunt for Yellow Wagtails amongst the cows. Nevertheless, a pleasant walk. (Thanks to Peter for leading) Peter Bryant

Fifteen members gathered at Folly Farm. It was an extremely windy day but dry and overcast. We set off at 10:00 into Folly Wood along a barked path. Not many sighting of birds but we heard a few Blue Tits and Robins. At 11:00 more people joined us. We were all excited to see a bird at last, a Green Woodpecker gave us a few flights from some trees. We had a fantastic view of a Roe Deer lying by the hedge, but still not many birds. We could hear the odd Chiffchaff along the way and there were beautiful views of Chew Valley Lake. Quite a few Crows, Ravens and Gulls were overhead on the open fields as we made our way down the hill, again great views of the Lake and seeing a few House Martins and Swallows. We walked through a wood and came across an opening where Alastair shouted ‘Red Kite above’. A raptor at last. Here we also viewed a large pine tree full of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Chiffchaffs, the most birds we had viewed so far. Ian collected some mushrooms for tea and Jean found some blue looking fungi called Wood Blewit (Collybia Nuda). It was a great walk in lush green fields, woods and muddy paths. We started with 15 got up to 20 then three left but we got back safely with 17 and only one stumble. Thanks to Jean for leading. Caron Thornton Trippit

Despite the dire forecast of heavy rain, the eight of us gathered had a very dry and sunny morning. The first stop was at the lake where we watched the Coots, Moorhens, Cormorant and one Little Grebe. Walking around the reed beds we heard Chiffchaff, Robin, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Once in sight of the river we saw Herons and Little Egrets while one of the group saw a Whinchat perched on a tall shrub. Reaching the coastal path we saw more Little Egrets and an excellent view of a Peregrine Falcon flying down from the tall buildings of the Power Station and swooping over the river. Later in the walk we saw three Peregrines together having a playful battle in the sky. They seemed to be favouring the area around the tall Power Station building. A flock of mixed House Martins and Swallows were flying over the fields feeding, unperturbed by the Peregrines. Walking a short way down the Coastal path we heard and saw a small flock of Turnstones and Little Plovers that settled on the rocky edge of the river. Then the most exciting sighting, a Common Scoter was seen a short distance from shore, heading down river. Once we had all had a good look and discussed this, we returned to the path around the Power Station, past the reed beds and the small pool where more Chiffchaff were heard, and so back to the cars. A lovely morning of good company and excellent bird watching. (Thanks to Di for leading) Di Bunniss

A Goldcrest was our first species, hovering in the trees by St Adeline’s church, just by our departure point. A dedicated party of 13 were entertained by a Kestrel in the fields just above the now heavily screened reservoir. The pull up Horton Hill seemed long but a Blackcap, a Tit flock and accompanying finches went some way to making it enjoyable. The good number of Swallows and House Martins feeding over the houses and farm buildings were bolstered by a steady stream of migrants. A couple of Greenfinches sat above the gate, where a rowdy group of House Sparrows clamoured for attention. Coffee was taken by the Millennium Folly with rare glimpses in the murk of the panorama below. A lolloping Hare stopped as we entered the lanes and paths to Little Sodbury Manor, moving on as we did, with another Kestrel perched above. A few Chiffchaffs called and fleetingly showed with the rather splendid view over the Severn Valley as a background. The black sheep within the Iron Age Camp came over to be petted and Stock Dove sat obligingly within a large group of Rooks. Another Green Woodpecker called and a Kestrel perched up above Old Sodbury village, as we gained our vantage point for lunch close to the tower of St John the Baptist. The dining entertainment was provided by a party of Starlings – going for the record of how many could squash between the power line supports and many more migrating hirundines. We ambled back along the footpath with a further Green Woodpecker calling and my first Great Spotted Woodpecker who flew off, undulating its way into the trees. The weather was kind and our final total was 35 species. (Thanks to Nick for leading) Nick Hawkridge