Field trip reports

 The Wren and Chaffinch were our first species and proved to be (apart from Woodpigeon) the most abundant birds. Our ‘new-kneed’ organiser joined us eleven walkers for the first half mile, walking well since his operation. Before the hill, Robins and House Martin were spotted, House Sparrows called from the roofs and the view from the hill top as ever was most uplifting, but no raptors circling or other hirundines / swifts had arrived to herald the start of summer. The first of the Chiffchaffs sang, as did the many Blackbirds as we walked through the woods, a Blackcap pair showed superbly as they went about their spring goings-on, and a Song Thrush broke into his thrice repetitious song. Down at the lake a sign said that green algae was in evidence, so ‘no fishing’. Of course, without anglers, the Grey Heron was present with three Mallard. Up along the old rail track (now a posh cycle route) Goldcrest was seen and our first Mistle Thrush, and a Coal Tit balanced head down, feeding voraciously. Along the route of the Coal Canal we spotted five or six Mistle Thrushes congregated in one bush, chuckling together – migrating birds or just mingling? Now we had to climb back up South Stoke hill and on the first pitch a sharp-eyed walker found Bath Asparagus growing along the edge of the lane. The final incline had Swallows skimming over the grass! The special bird of the day, a single Treecreeper, was seen finding its living foraging on the Bath stone of the 3m high wall of School House, which gave us a final count of 34. Nick & Annie Hawkridge  

This was a walk in “Stan Country” – one of the many which Stan Wilmott used to lead.      15 members set out across a wheat field to the sound of skylarks – this week against a grey sky.  Blackcaps, robins, blackbirds and wrens were heard throughout the walk – double figures in all four cases.   Some of the time the sound of the M4 was also a constant background but this did not really detract from our enjoyment, though with the increasing foliage,  hearing different species is becoming as frequent than seeing some!  Many chiffchaffs were heard and  some very clearly seen as were, by a few, a pair of bullfinches taking dandelion seeds.  Plenty of magpies were seen, including two chasing a jay. Other birds in abundance were woodpigeons, one flock of 50 feeding in a pasture,  also carrion crows, starlings and a rookery of about a dozen nests. Several willow warblers were heard and a whitethroat, a group of six linnets fluttered  in a hedge and half a dozen swallows were spotted, a couple almost close enough to touch.  The walk ended in sunshine with more skylarks singing as we crossed a final wheat field.  36 species in all.  Thanks to Duncan Gill for leading and for the previous day’s recce, which saved many a step through clayey mud!

 A good mix of habitats and a great view were enjoyed by twelve members on this amble around Cleeve Hill. We got off to a good start with views of Wheatear close to a quarry and were serenaded by numerous Skylarks. Walking first around the top (dodging a few golf balls from the nearby golf course), we picked up several species in scrub including Blackbird, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren and a distant Song Thrush. Several Whitethroat and a good view of Yellowhammer also delighted. Our guide pointed out where to find Ring Ouzel (another time perhaps!) and various points of interest along the way, including a heather enclosure where we might have seen a Stonechat (although this remains unconfirmed!). We then followed the valley down, with great views of Red Kite, Crows and Jackdaws enjoying the thermals along the nearby ridge. Passing through ‘Watery Bottom’, beside the ‘Washpool’ and then along ‘Dry Bottom’, we picked up a few woodland species including Blackcap, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest and a calling Marsh Tit. 32 species were seen in all. Many thanks to our guide Beryl, from Cheltenham Bird Club, for hosting this event.

 A startled Green Woodpecker flew up from the ground as we set off through the churchyard with a further two seen in the adjoining field. Woodpigeon, Blackcap, Carrion Crow, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Rook, finches and tits were all in abundance at various places throughout the walk. As we passed the fishermen on the lower lake at Newton Park we had a good view of a Common Sandpiper. A Grey Heron stood nearby and was determined to stay until the very last moment as we approached. At the upper lake we were greeted by a pair of Greenfinches on the gravel path just ahead of us and a Goldcrest was spotted in the fir trees above. Mallard and Coot were on the lake as well as a pair of Teal whilst the Mute Swans had moved their nest further along the lake this year. Swallows were evident as we approached Stanton Prior and Linnet, Whitethroat and Yellowhammer were in the hedgerows as we walked along the country lane with a Great Spotted Woodpecker high up in a tree. On our way back we had Skylarks in the fields. Despite a little shower the weather was fine. Thanks to Nick for recording some 45 species seen and heard – 15 walkers.(Thanks Rod for leading)  

 The walk was sunny and bright 25 walkers saw/heard 36 species. The prime specimen being a Common Crane seen circling at height over the centre of the valley. Thanks to Goeff Harris for leading. We only saw one, imagine this spectacle over the Gordano Valley

 It was mostly overcast with a coolish breeze, even so, twelve members gathered for a very pleasant and rewarding walk. Chiffchaff was the first bird, together with the expected resident birds which included Skylark, Bullfinch and Stock Dove. Blackcap and Green Woodpecker were heard as well as Yellowhammer – a male of the latter then seen on a track. Buzzards then rose up on the wind and even displayed whilst a Jay scolded. When we arrived at the valley bottom a Grey Wagtail was flushed from the brook, a Goldcrest was heard, Nuthatches called and were seen and a Sparrowhawk circled over. During out final ascent back up to the cars we added Coal Tit, Mistle Thrush, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Kestrel and Pied Wagtail giving us a very good total of 42 species. By now it was very pleasant and warmer… time for lunch! (Many thanks to Robin for leading).

 Another great walk in varied habitat but this week not a single Skylark was heard nor a winter thrush seen, spring had come and the sound of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Nuthatches predominated. From quite early on singing Robins, Wrens, Chaffinches and Dunnocks were heard as well as calling Great Tits and Blue Tits, plus some other calls that led to speculation as to their identification. Several busy rookeries were passed, both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were heard, the former drumming as well as calling – also Goldcrest, but only by a few! At our coffee break stop, while admiring Bluebells and Cowslips, it was remembered that Marsh Tit had been seen here on a previous walk. This time seen and heard by only one person although two more were heard and spotted later in the walk. Soaring Buzzards had been seen several times but we were also treated to good views of a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk. Just one butterfly, a Brimstone, made an appearance in the fairly cool temperature and this week’s fungus was a Disciotis venosa – one large and one enormous specimen seen. The only House Sparrow was lurking by a feeder just as we were leaving the village to climb back up to the car park (having missed the bus!) 33 species – 23 walkers. Thanks to Duncan Gill for stepping in to lead and best wishes to Dave Body who we hope will rejoin us soon.

 The weather forecast was dreadful: ‘Heavy rain and strong winds worsening around the coasts’ it said. Just the job for a walk along Brean Down then? But that was the forecast put out the night before; by the morning of the meeting the heavy rain had been put back by 12 hours but it seemed that many people had not picked up on this late change resulting in only Margaret Gorely and me joining Paul Gregory for this spring migration watch.Considering that Brean Down is at the end of Weston beach there is a considerable road journey to the foot of the down, but once there we set off up the steep tarmac track to the top of the east down. With thick scrub and bushes aplenty there was high expectation of migrant warblers, chats and other LBJs. A Blackcap obliged with song as well as Chiffchaff but little else other than a couple of resident Blue Tits. From the top a good view of the Axe Estuary revealed a herd of Mute Swans, many Shelduck, twelve Teal, a Little Egret and a pair of Oystercatcher. A couple of Peregrines gave us top entertainment with their powerful command of the sky, one of them decidedly brownish as if last year’s offspring? Things went quiet for a while but Chaffinch and Meadow Pipit were never far away, and then a Stonechat appeared typically on top of a stunted bush. A distant Swallow was next but it soon disappeared leaving us somewhat short-changed of hirundines at this promising site. A few Rock Pipits, Raven and a Linnet made up the numbers with Roe Deer, feral goats, Violet and Cowslip adding variety. A miniscule contribution of a snippet of song from a Willow Warbler elevated the mood but it was thevPeregrines who, at the end of the walk, once again demonstrated their superiority in the air. Wheatear and Ring Ouzel never showed giving a grand total of 27 bird species. Thanks go to Margaret for the refreshments and to Paul for leading.

 It was a pretty misty start to our All Fools’ Day walk and there was much discussion as to whether clout casting might be opportune. 16 members, and soon to be joined by a 17th, set off through the village where there were plenty of Starlings. Soon, we were in typical “top of the Cotswolds” country and could hear many Skylarks singing, though these were out of sight above the mist layer. Plenty of Yellowhammers posed for all to see and first one, and then several Corn Buntings were spotted, some showing in clear profile for easier identification. The light was improving and very good views of a couple of Wheatears were had. Around coffee time, among trees, we added to our list with noisy Nuthatches, Wrens, and Blue and Great Tits. Spring flowers were also in evidence including the Townhall Clock (Moschatel), identified by our fungi guru wearing her plant expert hat. A few Chiffchaffs were heard and, for many, the first singing Willow Warbler of the season. Skylarks continued to be evident and were now clearly in sight. Descending a steep path through woodland there was an aroma of garlic as we crushed Ramson leaves and here the first Bluebells were peeping through. The highlight of this bit of the walk was an explosion of Fieldfares, with a few Redwings, from the tops of the trees. The clever counters among us reckoned over a hundred. This was a walk of two seasons for the price of one! Back on the top and on the Cotswold and Monarch’s Way, the sun was out, more Buzzards were soaring, Pheasants calling, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and Greenfinch all singing. There was a wonderful variety of habitat on this walk and 41 species were noted. Many thanks to Duncan and Pat Gill for leading and Nick Hawkridge’s additional “leading from behind”.

In overcast skies and mist, but with the sun trying to break through, some of the 19 of us applied our first sun cream of the year. The car park was surrounded by calling Chiffchaff, Greenfinch and Goldfinch and Wren. On the bird feeders at the Centre we were rewarded with many and both sexes of Reed Bunting, Mallard cleaning up and Coot and Moorhen chugging across the lake towards the Sand Martin house-home-shelter. Walking on, one of the many Cetti’s Warblers heard throughout the day, called from a bramble patch and took flight affording us a brief but rewarding view. Also in flight, a splendid pair of Mute Swans, who wheeled and landed at the first lagoon, much to the distress of the Canada Geese already there, although the Tufted Ducks and Pochard paid no heed. The first ‘Ping Ping’ of Bearded Tit was heard but no sighting was made until we’d been to the river, seen a distant Curlew, many Shelduck and probably Dunlin. Only three people (‘laggards’ who were not desperate for coffee and were far behind!) managed to see Bearded Tit one of which, unusually, left the reeds to fly behind and round the watchers before going back under cover. Sand Martins were admired as we moved on towards the hide. The overlooked lake gave us Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, and Little Grebe. On the way back for lunch, sharp eyes caught the movement of a single Red-legged Partridge skulking along the hedge, and we heard and then saw Green Woodpecker. At Goldcliff we visited all the hides and screens. The first gave distant views of Avocet with, a bit closer, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing and a pair of Little Ringed Plover at the edge of stones – so well camouflaged. Moving further up the lake and into a better position to see the top end we were suddenly rewarded by a fantastic aerial display of Avocet, 80 plus birds wheeling and calling – superb. A Sparrowhawk put in an appearance, flushing the Avocets again and most of the other waders – Redshank and Godwit. At the last hide, around the far side of the lake, we found two Greenshanks, stalking and feeding in the shallows with two pairs of Pintail feeding alongside many Teal and Wigeon. A final hunt found a Bar-headed Goose with a large number of Canada Geese and a Starling in full headlong flight being chased by a slate backed Merlin.