Field trip reports

 After a misty start to the day the sun broke through and the lakes and surrounding countryside looked very attractive with plenty of autumn colour still evident. 21 birders did the circular walk around the lakes and through woodland. A pheasant shoot was fortunately just finishing. We saw 46 species as a group total. On the water there were Swans and Canada Geese with a Greylag Goose in the fields where the winter wheat was already showing through. A Little Egret, Cormorants and several Great Crested Grebes gave good views. We had three sightings of Kingfisher. There were Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon and Gadwall as well as Coots and a Moorhen. The hedges and woodland provided two Goldcrests, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits. We had four Common Buzzards in total, three were with a Sparrowhawk, and a Kestrel. Some of the group were lucky enough to see a Green Woodpecker, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and two Treecreepers. It made a very pleasant stroll on a lovely autumn morning. (Thanks to Sue and John Prince for leading.) Sue Prince  

 Five members met at the Cheddar end of the reservoir on an overcast morning. The first notable sighting was the very large raft of Coot which must have numbered over a thousand birds. Why Cheddar should be such a draw for wintering Coot was debated without an obvious conclusion. There were also a large number of Great Crested Grebes spread over the Reservoir. Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits searched the water’s edge for food.  Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Teal and Shoveler were not far from the edge. Amongst the common passerines the highlight for some was their first Redwing of the autumn. Probably the best bird of the day was a male Goldeneye which apparently was the first wintering one to be reported at the reservoir this season. Thirty-nine species were recorded.   (Thanks for leading, Mike.)

 Twelve of us arrived in a deluge of rain with dark skies. Therefore,we decided just to go around the reservoir as the lower paths quickly become like paddy fields. A slightly delayed start gave us a sunny, dry amble with a large variety of both water and ‘field & hedge’ birds. There were very numerous Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, hundreds of Coot and quite a number of other duck, the most notable being Red-crested Pochard (twomale & threefemale). It was good to see both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied and Grey Wagtail, good views of a pair of Nuthatch and a mixed flock of finches, tits and a Robin!  Kestrel and Buzzard made an appearance and beyond the yacht club five Redwing feasted on berries.  Across the water, approximately 100 Canada Geese flew in from the southto make a total of 46 species. (Thanks for leading Sue.) Sue Watson

 A nearly full boatload of 37 members and guests were treated to fabulous weather and some great sights (birding and otherwise) on this trip. From the first Cormorant fishing in the harbour as we set sail from the ss ‘Great Britain’ ferry stop to the six Curlew on the sand bar opposite the tiny lighthouse at the entrance to the River Severn we were kept interested and sometimes entertained by the birds on view and also by Ed’s informative commentary. While we waited in the lock to leave the Floating Harbour we began to see the first of at least 20 Jays which seemed to be flying from Ashton Court to Clifton and back, presumably having found a food source to stock up their larders for winter. Both Pied and Grey Wagtails were seen, along with a full complement of the standard corvids of the area including a single Rook as we came back under the Suspension Bridge. A family group of five Ravens were soaring over the M5 bridge and another was seen harassing a Buzzard above Sea Walls. The main highlight was the wonderful display by a pair of Peregrines over Sea Walls, including a half-hearted attempt at chasing some pigeons before following us back towards the Suspension Bridge and giving us one final view while we returned through the lock to the harbour. This was nearly matched by the Grey Heron roost on the river bank at Horseshoe Bend (eleven including two perched in the trees). It was good to see the waders on the mud banks which are normally out of sight from the footpaths, ranging from a single Greenshank, through a handful of Common Sandpipers to one flock of about 120 Redshank on the return journey. The Lapwing also gave a colourful display with the sun showing off the iridescent colours of their plumage. A total of 30 species were seen.Thanks to Ed Drewitt for leading. Keith Williams

But first, the report of the very first BOC Tuesday walk in November 1994:  Nine members met in the car park at Snuff Mills at 10 am on a cool and overcast morning. It was generally considered that the murky conditions would not lead to a dynamic morning of birding and that we should concentrate on the bonus of mid-week exercise and conversation … Suddenly, on the first bridge, the morning was transformed. A Grey Wagtail was seen foraging on the bank. In an adjacent tree, just about within touching distance a pair of Kingfishers sparkled in the dull light, close enough even to spot the female’s diagnostic orange base to the lower mandible. Almost directly underneath them a pair of Dippers bobbed and dived in the water. … It was a most enjoyable mid-week meeting and it is hoped that many more will be arranged. Our thanks go to David Tombs for his genial and informative leadership. “Mike Johnson” Now todays.  The popularity of these Tuesday walks has grown and grown, as illustrated by the presence of 41 birders, plus three grandchildren, who met to enjoy the birds of Ashton Court and to celebrate the anniversary. Skylarks singing above the golf course car park was an auspicious start. Then came the call of Great Tits as we made our way, in glorious sunshine, down towards the Red Deer Park. Here even the song of the Wren was almost drowned out by the bellowing of one of the stags, although the hinds seemed distinctly disinterested in the autumn rut. The first of several Buzzards put in an appearance circling over the City ground, happily free of the attention of the many corvids that appeared to be everywhere. As we approached the formal gardens the swarms of ladybirds flying about were so numerous they were actually bumping into us. At Church Lodge car park we were greeted by the welcome sight of Peter Holbrook together with celebration cakes and drinks. Sadly, neither of the founders of these Tuesday walks could be present. Steve Kirk has recently passed on and David Tombs was away on holiday. But our appreciation goes out to them for starting this series of very enjoyable mid-week walks, with every opportunity for newcomers to learn from more experienced birders. Before we embarked on the return journey through Church Wood and the Fallow Deer Park, photographs were taken to record the occasion and provide publicity for the Club. The walkers outnumbered the species of bird seen and heard by 2:1 (a count of just 21), but there were enough individual birds (181, including 43 Woodpigeons) for everyone to get good views, whether of Gulls, Thrushes, Starlings and Long-tailed Tits flying overhead or the small woodland birds flitting about amongst the trees. Here’s to the 2000th walk in 2034! Many thanks to the bakers, Sue Watson and Peter Holbrook, and to the bartender, Mark Watson. Brenda Page

 On a mild sunny day we started our bird count working along to the Holden Tower just after high tide getting an impressive number of wild ducks. We then cut across to South Lake to add some waders and gulls to our list. Amongst the numerous Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls there were a few Common Gulls and one darker individual that was lighter than a Lesser Black-backed Gull – we later found out that this was a hybrid Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull! We had lunch in the Peng hide adding Golden Plover and seeing a hybrid Cape-Ruddy Shelduck (apparently it was too dark for a Ruddy). In the afternoon we toured the collection birds and managed to identify all birds seen. A total of 147 species were seen despite the tropical house birds playing hard to get. (Thanks to Louise for organising this meeting) Louise Bailey

 On a fine but windy day the first part of the walk was around Hengrove Mounds, an old landfill site behind Cineworld. A group of 15 set off up a short wet slope and then followed the path along a belt of trees. Initial sightings were of Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, and Herring Gull moving rapidly across the sky on the strong wind. A Wren was heard in the undergrowth and Long-tailed Tits flitted above. As we walked around the old tip Goldfinches were heard and seen in the hedgerow and overhead a Lesser Black-backed Gull was spotted along with Magpie and Robin. We arrived back at Cineworld car park having added Blue Tit to the list and had coffee before moving on to Manor Woods. This hidden green space with the river Malago flowing through it provided more interest with Black-headed Gulls overhead, a Jay in the treetops and a good view of a Goldcrest alongside the path. A Mallard was heard and on our return through the woodland by the Malago we had wonderful views of a male and female Grey Wagtail perched and catching insects, and on the stream four unexpected Teal. Overall, 22 species were seen. Thanks to Mike Landen and Roger Bingham who made sure we followed the correct route as Margaret Swatton was unable to lead due to unforeseen circumstances.Mark Watson  

 It was a sunny but windy day for our walk around the RSPB’s Ham Wall reserve. Bob Buck and John Crispin (both RSPB volunteers and experts at identifying birds) were our guides for the morning. We were going “off piste” into the conservation area of the reserve which members of the public don’t normally have access to. This was going to be real treat! Right from the start birds were popping up everywhere – either seen or heard. To kick off were Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Cetti’s Warbler. One member spotted a late Swallow who must have missed the last bus! There was a number of Stonechats, both male and female, and a stunning Reed Bunting posing beautifully on a swaying reed. As we progressed deeper into the reserve and looked out over lagoons, we spotted a lovely family group of Mute Swans with three young, gliding gracefully across the water. Great White and Little Egrets were present giving us the opportunity to note the difference in size. Wildfowl were in abundance including Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal and Mallard; and John gave us some very useful tips for identifying wildfowl in flight. A flock of Lapwings obligingly did a few circuits overhead and we were able to pick out three Snipe within it. During the walk we had a brilliant sighting of a Marsh Harrier quartering over the reedbeds. There was some debate over whether this was a female or young juvenile male, a point which remained inconclusive. We also spotted a Buzzard and this provided a great opportunity to check the differences between the two birds of prey. Bearded Tits proved a little elusive probably due to the windy conditions, but at last they were heard ‘pinging’ and a couple of members had a brief glimpse. Water Rail was also heard but not seen. On the latter part of the walk we were treated to three Ruff feeding in the shallow water, and were able to get good views of three Snipe on the edge of the water (possibly the same ones we saw flying earlier). To round off the walk at the last viewing platform, a Bittern obligingly did a fly-past for us! Throughout the walk we were accompanied by a variety of flying insects including Southern Hawker and Ruddy Darter dragonflies, a Red Admiral butterfly, and a Hornet, and John drew our attention to a couple of specimens of otter spraint. The total number of birds recorded was 43. Many thanks to Bob and John for leading such an interesting and educational walk.          Linda Moysey

 Despite the rain pouring down all night and a forbidding forecast, six intrepid members gathered for the high tide at Severn Beach. Their dedication was rewarded by the number and variety of birds they saw through their rain-spattered lenses. There were large flocks of Starlings swirling in the sky, flocks of Dunlin and Turnstones on the shore together with Ringed Plovers running over the beach. Walking towards the Severn Bridge we saw Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and a Little Egret flew overhead. Further towards New Passage there were House Sparrows, flocks of mixed white doves and Woodpigeon plus Black-headed and Herring Gulls over the estuary. On the inlet we saw Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Grey Heron, Redshank and in the distance large numbers of Dunlin and Curlew. Inland was a flock of Canada Geese and, in the bushes around the house, a flock of mixed tits – Blue, Long-tailed, Great and Coal. Two of us saw a Goldcrest; but there were also Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Rock and Meadow Pipits, Blackbird, a Robin and a potential alba wagtail. On the return to our cars, as the sun seemed to be breaking through over the Welsh coast, but not on our side, our chilled damp spirits were lifted by the sight of a Sparrowhawk gliding over the river. Altogether 36 species recorded, so thank you Peter. Ruth Stanton

 Heavy rain, until just before the start of the walk, cleared to give a lovely blue sky for the ten hardy souls who had driven in hope, through the rain. Towers of Persil-white cumulus plus the occasional dark grey cloud gave a dramatic back-drop to a fair tally of all varieties of corvids, some gulls, Woodpigeons and hedgerow birds. We had a glorious view of a male Yellowhammer, perched on the top point of a bare tree, standing out in the autumn sunshine. A pair of Peregrines flew high above the hill before we climbed up to the wood to enjoy a coffee stop. Here, a Jay flew past and shortly afterwards a Sparrowhawk was seen high on the thermals with over 16 Ravens (in total) calling at intervals; seven of those flew over together. We finished with a flurry of six Pied Wagtails on the rooftops around the car park, giving a total species count of 27. (Sue, thanks for leading.) Sue Watson