Nine of us assembled in the Ashley Walk car park for an amble across heathland and through woodland for this all day event. A chilly wind from the south east kept the temperatures down and birdlife appeared quite sparse to start with. A handful of species were encountered on the heath at the beginning including
The rain held off more or less, as 22 of us walked through the mixed woodland of Bickley and Hencliffe Woods and back along the River Avon. The heronry was well populated with adults and two chicks were seen by most, as the youngest of the group had kindly brought his ‘scope’. Of the 35
The Forest of Dean was always going to be tricky in early April. Winter flocks now diminished and summer migrants not quite ready. On top of everybody’s hit list were those forest gems – Hawfinch, Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Goshawk. All we had to do was find them. From the Speech House Woodland car
April 2, 2019
After the recent warm spell the temperature had returned to a more seasonal six degrees, although the 18 walkers were relieved that the overnight rain had stopped. We were rewarded with an excellent spring total of 42 species. As we set out, the trees on Moor Lane were full of song with Blackcap (day total
February 26, 2019
When forty members met on the beach the tide was still well down. We noted four Little Egrets in the marsh, just a few gulls on Black Rock and not many ducks in the river mouth, so we decided to head up to Walborough Hill (stopping to notice a Little Grebe on the marina pool)
February 24, 2019
Just four of us travelled down through the early morning fog to Ringwood for a walk around the Blashford Lakes reserve. We gathered in the sun at the Education Centre where the feeders held Chaffinch and Nuthatch, before making our way to the Woodland hide for excellent views of Siskin, Reed Bunting and Coal Tit.
35 birders met on a sunny and spring-like morning at the Perrings above Backwell Lake. Straightaway Canada Geese could be heard calling and most of these seemed to be already paired up. On the lake there were MuteSwan, Mallard, ten Tufted Ducks, three Shovelers, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black-headed Gull, two Coots, and several Moorhens.
February 15, 2019
We were 15 participants, based at Bosavern House just below St Just. Weather generally fine and relatively mild with some strong winds, and overcast. As tradition dictates, we stopped in Hayle for pasties and scouted Copperhouse Creek, dockside Carnsew Pool, and Ryan’s Field RSPB reserve and the estuary bay, getting over 20 wetland species including
February 12, 2019
Twenty-seven birders set off from the RSPB car park on a mild but overcast afternoon. We walked along the main track towards platform one, seeing Kingfisher, Redwing and the usual tits, Robins and Chaffinches. At the platform we looked over the water and reed beds where good numbers of Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal and
February 5, 2019
A warm coat, wellington boots – both pretty essential for today’s amble around Pensford. The playing fields opened our list with Common and Black-headed Gull picking off many tasty morsels. A wander into the village was rewarded – the Dipper whipped across the tops of the turgid water, first up river and then back before