Field trip reports

This was the standard walk from Marshfield, down the chest-high grass of Northfield Lane, on to Rushmead Farm, and back by Rushmead Lane. This walk was on a beautiful sunny evening. There was lots of song from Corn Buntings, Skylarks and Yellowhammers all the way through. A very distant Red Kite was caught in a telescope. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were in small numbers along with lots of Starlings, two Pied Wagtails and three finches, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch. Treats were a Sparrowhawk going through low near the barn on Rushmead Lane, two Red-legged Partridges calling, and a Little Owl on top of the shed opposite Northfield Lane. One Little Owl was photographed in a square hole in the wall. Moving on to Down Road, a Barn Owl was seen prowling against the darkening sky, a Red-legged Partridge heard, and a Quail said “wet”, which was a bit brief. 26 species, a three mile walk, a beautiful sunset, and good company. (Thanks Robert for leading.) Robert Hargreaves

22 of us met outside St Bartholomew’s church at Lower Failand. House Martins were flying around the church as we set off down the lane on a bright sunny morning. A Great Spotted Woodpecker provided our first sighting, along with a distant Greenfinch. Chiffchaff, Wren and Blackcaps were pretty much constant song companions throughout the walk. One of our group had a BTO square which edged the walk and showed us a recently occupied Marsh Tit’s nest in a moss-covered wall we passed, but the birds had flown. Coffee stop gave us some Swifts, Buzzards and Ravens and an amazing view out over the Severn and the “loveliness” of Avonmouth. Moving on, a Whitethroat was singing as we headed downhill past Failand Farm where Goldfinches and Long – tailed Tits were moving through the bushes. An elusive Goldcrest caused a mild upset by distracting the leader. Safely back on track, a Green Woodpecker flew ahead of us. Passing Failand Lodge Farm, two Linnets posed on a wire whilst Skylarks serenaded and a Mistle Thrush flew by. 34 species in total. Thanks to Nick for the bird list (and thanks to Alan for leading). Alan Craddock

It was a fine cool morning with some sun and a light breeze. Twenty birdwatchers enjoyed a circuit of the lake, where we saw a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Moorhen, and Coots with a nest. Blackcaps sang, a Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs were prominent. The Mute Swans still have six cygnets but the Canada Goose goslings appear to have been predated (by a Pike?). Dru was lucky enough to see a Peregrine high up. Following lanes to Backwell Bow, we crossed fields by the Blind Yeo river. Here were lots of low flying House Martins and Swallows. A distant Yellowhammer was seen. We were lucky to spot a Green Woodpecker flying up to a rooftop before undulating away. Other birds of note on the walk included three Mistle Thrushes on the hill near The Perrings, two Buzzards, three Goldcrests, two Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and a Linnet. A lovely walk in quiet countryside. Thanks to Nick for keeping the list for us. (Thanks to Sue and John for leading). Sue and John Prince

Overcast, with rain in the air, but the beauty of this area could not be diminished. A Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat were heard up the path but no Stonechat at the trig point. A fresh, west wind whipped about us but only a couple of Shelducks and a few large gulls showed in the bay. Swallows and Swifts appeared as we filed down the path, with a good showing of Linnets and Stonechats. A few Whitethroats sang, as did Goldfinches and Dunnocks, but the Rock Pipit remained silent as it parachuted down behind the cliff face. Another Rock Pipit showed at the coffee stop and fortunately the mizzle gave up, allowing some Skylark s to ascend and sing, and a little further along Middle Hope some Swallows were noted zipping over the grass. We bade farewell to two of our party of 13 at the stile and in sight of the Priory heard our first Lesser Whitethroat. More early finishers departed and the remaining seven ate our lunch overlooking the mud at the mouth of the River Banwell and sheltering behind the pier from a brief rain shower. Back up along the grass beside St Thomas’s Head; here the party again divided, the others to return via the direct route and some of us to cross the field system to the coast. We heard more of the same warbler species and enjoyed our buffeting in the strengthening wind. A total of 30 species were seen or heard. (Many thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

On a glorious sunny morning albeit with a chilly wind four birders joined Graham, two of whom were attending a BOC trip for the first time. A Red Kite was spotted before we set off, which boded well. We crossed the road to the Mineries and recorded both Meadow and Tree Pipit. There was also Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Willow and Reed Warbler. The route took us past the headquarters of the Bristol Exploration Club and back across the Mineries. he usual suspects were seen or heard such as Magpie, Buzzard, Wren, Chiffchaff, Coal, Blue and Great Tit, Treecreeper, Blackcap and Whitethroat, but sadly only six Swallows. We had a quick walk in the woods and added a few more species. We saw a number of butterflies when we were in sheltered spots and a small basking lizard. In total Graham recorded 30 species. Many thanks to him for a great morning. Beth Yates

The forecast was for almost constant rain, but 15 brave members attended and luckily we barely got wet. Waders on foreshore, saltmarsh and pools included Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Whimbrel. Avocet, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and young, with Canada Geese, Shelduck, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Coot and Moorhen, a Mute Swan pair with five small cygnets, Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting. There were plenty of hirundines hunting over the pools – House and Sand Martins and Swallows – and some welcome Swifts. In grassed and hedgerow areas and down the sheltered side lane were Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Song Thrush, Grey Wagtails, Linnet, Stock Dove and Skylark, with groups of enthusiastic young Starlings and a Buzzard in the distance. Total 48 species. (Thanks to Lois for leading.) Lois Pryce

A glorious sunny day saw six of us set off from the car park, where already we had spotted a pair of Grey Wagtails. As we climbed up into the wood above the river we were regaled by numerous songbirds: Song Thrush, Blackcap, Wren, Robin, and Dunnock, all singing almost constantly and from all sides! A Goldcrest burst into song by the path. As we came up to a waterfall where Graham had seen Dippers fledging very recently there was no sign of them, but there was a Grey Wagtail. Up on the pond were numerous Demoiselles and a pair of Mallards. Stock Doves were calling to each other in the further woods and as we emerged there were Swallows above. A Cockchafer Beetle was seen nestled on a path-side plant. Returning down the river we were followed by the sound of Nuthatches and many more Wrens. Emerging onto a road there was a comment from Graham that we hadn’t seen any Buzzards and with perfect timing three were seen wheeling high above in the blue sky. A walk full of industrial history and, of course, birds. In total 25 species were seen but it seemed more because they never stopped singing! Thank you Graham for leading this lovely walk. Sue Black

Nineteen people set off on a warm sunny day to explore this valley tucked away in East Bristol. We crossed the community field where Magpies and Jackdaws foraged in the grass and Feral and Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves flew among the trees, and a Herring Gull flew over. On entering the wood, a Song Thrush was singing. Further along, we had good views of two Great Spotted Woodpeckers bringing food to their nest hole in a tree by the path, so, fortunately, the climbing cat that the leaders had seen in the tree a week before, had not managed to get the young. Across the main road, we continued to follow the stream and the woodland to the Leap Valley Nature Reserve, where a Whitethroat was seen and a Buzzard driven off by Crows. At Moorend Bridge, there were Mallard in the Frome, with a Little Egret, and a Grey Wagtail. Two Jays, a Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tits and Long Tailed Tits were spotted nearby. Walking back by the fields, a Swallow was seen, a Stock Dove heard, Greenfinch and ten Goldfinches seen and heard, and some people watched a family of Pied Wagtails with two young on a fence. Thirteen Chiffchaffs and 13 Blackcaps were heard or seen altogether plus five Dunnocks. The total number of species was 36. (Thanks to Joyce and Kate for leading.) Kate Cashmore

Our party of eight had travelled to Holford in promising sunshine, which persisted all day with a steady north-east breeze. Before entering Hodder’s Combe proper, a pair of Swallows were a delight to see over the houses. Up to the first ford we encountered a pair of Stock Doves “coo-wuping” together on the west fringe of the woods, a Grey Wagtail in the open ground and then our first sound of Redstart, picked up by its song from within the trees. The Pied Flycatchers started to sing as we pushed on to Short Combe, with both females and males being seen around their various nest boxes and a Cuckoo singing from the top of the East flanking woods. Having heard Wood Warbler singing above us, just inside Slaughterhouse Combe, we spent a fair while trying (in vain) to locate him, although the sounds of another Redstart and Pied Flycatchers were a distraction. Breaking into the open top, a pair of Redpolls flew over us and yet another species, Willow Warbler, evaded our sight. A little further up the path a pair of Stonechats showed well. As we feasted our eyes on these two, a dark, long tailed bird flashed through our bins – a Dartford Warbler, the first of three. Flopping down to lunch close under Black Ball Hill, another Cuckoo called, some Skylark sang and a herd of Red Deer saw us but we were ignored. Finding a path down to Sheppard?s Combe and on into Lady?s Combe we heard the scratchy song of Whitethroat which showed, as they do, from the tops of low bushes. As we descended into the wood, a Green Woodpecker yaffled in the distance and a Song Thrush sang close above. A final total of 36 species were recorded. A very special thank you goes to Jeff Holmes for sharing his expertise and brilliant local knowledge. (Thanks to Nick for leading.) Nick Hawkridge

Seventeen members met to walk the trail. From the car park we saw a very pale Buzzard. We set off up a very steep path and we heard Song Thrush all the way to the top. We entered Glyn Woods and we heard Goldcrest, 12 Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Blackcap and more Song Thrushes. We stopped by a pond and two of us were extremely lucky to see a Dipper whiz over the water and down the waterfall, then it flew back 15 minutes later for all to see. Out of the woods and along to the next pond we saw two beautiful Grey Wagtails. We stopped for lunch on a stone wall overlooking the larger of the two ponds, again seeing Grey Wagtails and again serenaded by Song Thrush. We lost one member who had gone off following Stock Dove but he soon found us again.. We didn’t get to see any Goshawk but it was a fabulous walk. Thanks to Graham for leading. Caron Thornton-Trippit