In this location to the south of Marshfield, the ground soil in the valley lived up to that boggy name with ankle deep mud being the norm after, seemingly, months of rain. With a light mist but none of the forecast precipitation we set off to see what the late coming spring had to offer.
Twenty-five of us met on a damp grey morning for a muddy walk up through woodlands with bluebells just starting to show some colour, over the fields and back beside the river Avon, with the song of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Wren frequently accompanying us. Thirty-three species were identified including a large parcel of Linnets, several
April 7, 2018
As the rain poured down I did wonder how many willing wanderers might brave the weather for a migrant search on Sand Point. In fact eight of us made it and within half an hour the rain stopped and the birds started to show. There were lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the bushes but
April 3, 2018
Rain threatened as 22 of us set off from Winscombe; however, we completed our walk in dry conditions with a little sunshine too. Crossing fields to Sandford Hill we heard a vociferous Wren and saw Jackdaw, Crow, Rook and a good variety of the usual suspects in the hedgerows, such as Blue, Great and Long-tailed
March 27, 2018
Maybe the forecasters hadn’t quite got the hang of British Summer Time as it was still raining at ten o’clock when 25 of us set off – but it did soon stop. Our first pause at the bridge showed how fast the river was running, so no Dipper or Grey Wagtail. A Heron on the
Thirteen members met at Greylake on a dry but cold morning and though the recent snow had gone from the Levels and Moors the going underfoot was squelchy and some of the paths were closed due to the wet conditions. In the car park we saw Reed Bunting, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch and
March 13, 2018
The first shirtsleeve walk of the year, hurrah – well I had my arms out to collect some rays, but of the other 26, all muffled up with scarves, coat, etc, at least most had dispensed with gloves. As we gathered, the Buzzard started to be seen; first up the valley, then down the valley,
Report next month.
March 6, 2018
After a pre-walk review of the Forest of Dean and a hasty rearrangement of venue, 28 members met at the car park in Snuff Mills for a pleasant walk with no rain and some sunshine. After crossing the roaring River Frome we walked up the valley, seeing many Treecreeper and Goldcrest. A pair of Great
February 27, 2018
No “Beast from the East” can deter Tuesday walkers it seems! 22 members turned up and a 23rd joined us along the way. Our first stop near the Prince Street Swing Bridge was to look at the Cormorants and discuss different types and note the evident breeding patches. Walking along past M-shed, we saw the