Blog

On a day with rain and low visibility seventeen members were met at the RSPB West Sedgemoor Centre by two of the volunteer wardens, Nigel and Elaine Smith. Nigel explained the history and context of the site including its conversion from a proposed carrot farm in the 1970’s into a reserve. This was met with

Ten dedicated members participated on this lovely walk on a sunny yet chilly morning. After circumnavigating the closed cinema, the group proceeded into the discreet yet attractive Hengrove Mounds, where sightings included several Redwings, a Song Thrush, and two Goldfinches. The Bagot goats were also observed, notable for their distinctive eyes. Upon returning to our

Thirty to thirty-five of us came to the New Year’s Day Slimbridge walk. It was a very cold dry sunny day. Everyone went off in different directions and walks. This was my account of the day: Firstly, a group of us walked on the Estuary Path towards the hides looking over the wetlands where Teal,

Eighteen keen birders with their various optical paraphernalia met at Snuff Mills car park. It was a gloomy but dry and mild day. We carefully ascended the semi-treacherous path above the river Frome valley, passing the UWE Glenside Campus on the site of the old Glenside Mental Hospital. We quietly passed this, unspotted, towards the

Forty-one members met at The Riverside pub car park on a mostly cloudy, but dry, day. One of many Song Thrushes we heard was singing but could not be seen. A band of Goldfinches was flitting between the trees which were also visited by many Redwings. In a field across the river was a flock

This walk was also a BOC young person’s walk, in conjunction with the Avon Wildlife Trust. It was lovely to see so many young and enthusiastic birders come along and view the birds at the lake. Twenty-seven of us set off from Woodford Lodge along the trail to the dam. Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers,

Nine of us turned up in defiance of the forecast and set off along Sandy Lane. Not a single bird was seen or heard for the first half mile or so, before a couple of distant Crows and a Woodpigeon, then sounds of Blackbird, Robin and Blue Tit were noted. Soon after crossing Markham Brook

The meeting point for twelve of us was Station Road. We then walked over the footbridge to Sheepway. We peered over the bridge at the Portishead railway line, noting that the old rails have now been taken up – looks like progress. Once off the road we passed a distant field of corvids, pronounced by

The day started with brilliant sunshine which lasted for most of the walk. 13 people turned up. A good number considering that most came from Bristol. Starting from the Steart Marshes main car park we crossed the road into the main part of the reserve and followed the pathway around the site including walking along

Seven of us gathered, to be ably led by Rich. A few common species started us off until Alan’s scope focused on a Peregrine plucking prey on the spire of Stapleton Church. A Goldcrest foraged the riverside trees. There was a Kingfisher checking out the murky water beneath following the heavy rain and a Grey