Field trip reports

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  

Twenty three people attended this walk on a warm sunny day, covering Tickenham Moor, fields, Land Yeo River, wooded slopes of Tickenham Ridge, and the open pastureland of Cadbury Camp. At the start, many birds were seen feeding around the Tickenham Church yew trees, including two or three Mistle Thrush and a group of three Greenfinch, doing the ‘batty’ flight more usually reserved for spring. An adjacent walnut tree saw a steady stream of corvids – most or nearly all Rooks – plucking the green encased nuts and flying off ; somewhere they must have been dropping them from a height or letting vehicles break them open to get to the meat inside. The subsequent field and woodland walk was generally quieter but a fair number of birds were seen and heard, including Nuthatch, Jay, Goldcrest, and Long-tailed Tit, and a juvenile Hobby (lighter beneath) and many Buzzard soared above (once again the variation in underwing colouration was most marked). On Cadbury Camp were Meadow Pipit, Skylark, and a Green Woodpecker – heard but not seen. Back down on the moor a couple of Mute Swans flew low over the rhynes with a few flying Mallards close behind. A Kestrel, which circled briefly before landing on a telegraph pole, was mobbed by a crowd of Meadow Pipit – keeping their distance, but making their presence felt. A few lucky people saw Clouded Yellow butterflies, and more noticeable were the scores – probably hundreds – of mostly coupled, reddish dragonflies (Common Darters?) sporting and possibly laying their eggs into the water among the vegetation growing on the margins of the Land Yeo. Total bird species seen/heard was 32. Lois Pryce  (Thanks to Lois and Jan for leading).

 14 members assembled at a chillyish Ferrybridge. It was high tide which meant no waders, but the highlight was a close view of a Peregrine being mobbed by Crows. Also of note here were three Mediterranean Gulls, four flyover Sandwich Terns, Wheatears and plenty of Swallows. We moved on to a much warmer Portland Bill and started with a sea watch. After a patient wait, during which time we saw Gannets, Shags, Rock Pipits and again, lots of Swallows passing by, we were rewarded with eight Balearic Shearwaters. We walked to the Observatory Quarry and surrounding area, hoping to catch sight of the Barred Warbler and Wryneck that had been reported there over the last day or so, but, had no luck with those. There was though, a difficult to see Little Owl in the Quarry, and a Whitethroat. A Sparrowhawk and two Kestrels were also seen nearby. Lunch was taken at Southwell where we shared a grassy knoll with a Lime Hawkmoth caterpillar. We took a stroll around some nearby fields again hoping for Wryneck, but, as well as more common species, we had to be content with Stonechat, Stock Dove, Raven, and more Wheatears. In the lane leading to the fields the air was filled with the buzzing from a huge number of Honey Bees collecting pollen from the Ivy. We also came across the web of a Small Eggar Moth. Our next stop was Portland Castle where after a short while we saw the Black Guillemot which had been present for a week or more. It was already in winter plumage, but was still a delightful bird to see. There was also a Kingfisher and Little Egret here. Lastly, we headed for Radipole and found a number of Snipe, ten Black-tailed Godwits, Water Rail, two Chiffchaffs, another Kingfisher, and Cetti’s Warblers (heard only). The last member to leave later reported seeing some Bearded Tits. Also, some of us saw the long staying Hooded Merganser. To tick, or, not to tick? Including the Merganser a total of 60 bird species were counted. The weather brought out a good selection of butterflies, the best of which were some Clouded Yellows, two Wall Browns, Painted Lady, Green Veined White, and male and female Common Blues interacting together. Thanks to Louise for leading an enjoyable day. Trevor Ford.

 A fine day saw 25 members meet at the Causeway to get good views of a Common Sandpiper in amongst the Gulls. A walk to the lodge saw a division of watchers, with 17 opting for the far side and eight the Lodge side, the £3.50 charge for the walk may have been a factor for those without permits. The far side was fairly quiet with Mistle Thrush and Nuthatch being viewed with the Greylag/Bar-headed hybrid Goose in with the Canada Geese and the other lake regulars. There were no Buzzards until the last five minutes of the walk when six turned up. The Lodge side had more luck with a Marsh Harrier, probably juvenile, Little Egret, Raven and Kestrel and Blackcap. Most of the small birds showed but Greenfinch and Chaffinch were conspicuous by their absence. Margaret Swatton  (Thank you Margaret for leading.)

 13 people set out on the bus from Pill, another seven joined us at Abbots Leigh, having come by bus from Bristol, then Jan turned up on her bike, making 21. The weather was perfect. Robins sang as we went along, Rooks and Jackdaws were feeding on the lawn of the bungalow opposite Brackenwood Garden Centre. Raven was heard and two Buzzards heard and seen. In the wood Coal Tit and Goldcrest were calling, and at one point everyone stared across to a dead birch tree engulfed in a fungus – which Our Expert has now indentified as Birch Polypore. On arrival at the river we scanned without success for the Greenshank, but later one lucky person saw it flying out from the near bank and going up river. We counted a total of about 50 Redshank, three Cormorants, many Black-headed Gulls but only one Lesser Black-back. One Common Sandpiper was found, one Lapwing and, to start with, one Heron though the final total was eight. The best spot of the day was a Roe Deer on the opposite bank walking towards a fox, which ducked down into the grass to allow it to pass. Behind the deer was another fox and both foxes sat looking across at us, watching us watching them and knowing that the river was an effective safety barrier! Greenfinch and Goldfinch were noted and we caught up with House Sparrow at the farm and Grey Wagtail and Moorhen on Ham Green Lake, before reaching Pill and following alleyways back to the Memorial Club. Nick noted a total of 43 species.Judy Copeland (Thank you to Judy for leading.)