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On an unexpectedly sunny day over 40 walkers met at The Riverside, where the BOC Christmas lunch was to be held. We set off, looking at the very high river level, for our flexible walk. Most took the higher path, affording interesting views and seeing common small birds including two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Goldcrest,

It was a dull, cold day so it was not surprising that just 15 of us arrived at Chew Magna, the new meeting place for this walk. The first part of the walk was quiet with mainly common species including Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit. Turning off Denny Lane the path widens out. We soon

Five hardy members met, two of whom were new to the club, myself included. This was my first walk with the BOC. The weather was very cold, still and foggy. Frost laden spider webs were in great abundance throughout the morning. With the weather conditions what they were we had to rely on hearing as

Fourteen people set off from Lansdown P&R for an almost five mile level walk; weather, though gloomy remained dry and still. We set off across the playing field passing the first of over a hundred Common Gulls, and then skirted the racecourse. At the busy roadside we found a small group of Collared Doves and

Six of us met in the RSPB car park for the Club walk. It was well timed, between all the rain and floods and then the cold, allowing us to enjoy a lovely stroll around Ham Wall. A Firecrest was seen right next to car park which didn’t linger until the walk started properly, but

A change of leader; from that advertised, a dull dank day, but 17 wasn’t a bad sized group to squelch our way round the thoughtfully provided route details (thanks Graham). A flight of white doves attracted our notice but were only a distraction from the tail bobbing Stonechat that showed very well. A few Skylarks

Four BOC diehards turned up despite the fact that it was blowing a hooley from the west, so I had to stay and complete the WeBS count instead of going home to warm up by the fire – which is just as well, because the final numbers were pretty good for this much disturbed shoreline.

Heavy rain was forecast but we were undeterred. Our small group of eight set off and in the first field we quickly spotted a large mixed flock of Goldfinches and Chaffinches, twelve Collared Doves all settled in one tree, two Greenfinches, Blackbird, Crow and Jackdaw. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was perched high on a

Four brave souls arrived at the RSPB Newport Wetlands car park on a day planned to be Wetlands first, then Goldcliff. The forecast was dire, and it wasn’t far wrong. Low cloud and rain encouraged us to take good advice and go straight to Goldcliff and the shelter afforded by the hides. But first we

25 birders met at Heron’s Green in fine and sunny weather. The usual Mute Swans, Coots, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebes, and ducks (Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted, and Pochard) were present. Little Grebe and Cetti’s Warbler called from Heron’s Pool. As we started up Breach Hill a Green Woodpecker called, and later we saw a