Six members attended this visit on a gorgeous sunny day, targeting species like Nightingale, Garden Warbler and Med Gull.

Nightingale

Within Ten minutes a Med Gull was spotted in the water bathing next to the islands by the visitor center.

A Nightingale was sighted and the same corner as last year next to the Coot Lake

path, with great views for all to enjoy, along with fabulous surround sound serenade, added to this were good sightings of Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Willow Warblers and Whitethroats from around the site.

Having done a full circuit of the woodland this year, a good number Garden Warblers and Willow Warblers were

Hobby

noted. Other birds spotted: Greylag Geese with chicks, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Wren,Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Swallow, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Lapwing also birds heard Robins, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Pheasant and Great Tit.

Yet again this year it was decided to drop into RSPB Langford Lowfields reserve on our way back. The highlight here was yet again as last year, watching up to four plus Hobbies hawking for dragonflies.

Photos thanks to Brian Burch.

8 members enjoyed a fabulous morning’s birding in pleasant conditions.  Starting at 08:30 before picnic parties and dog walkers had arrived, we started brilliantly with a distant view of a Whinchat and this was followed in a short space of time with loads (new collective noun) of Buzzards and a Cuckoo.  The latter was perched upon a fence with its attendant Meadow Pipits on either side.  We then had views of of a Tree Pipit and after a great deal of effort from the assembled gathering, a view of a Redstart.  Fortunately this was followed later on by better views of several Redstarts.  Birding at this time of year in these ‘mountain’ oak forests is a made a good deal easier with little or no leaf growth but clearly, this opportunity wasn’t going to last much longer.  By accident we also stumbled upon a Tree Creepers nest (not literally) with a pair of birds flitting in and out.  During the remainder of our morning walk we encountered more common woodland birds and ‘shed loads’ (another new collective noun) of Pied Flycatchers.

The afternoon was spent up Burbage Brook and in complete contrast to the morning, was met with virtually no success.  At best we could merely say that we may have seen a Ring Ouzel in flight.

Photos thanks to Brian Burch.

Seven members made the trip and inspite of the strong wind, had a good time (it remained dry which was probably better than most parts of the country).  A total of 39 species were seen which compared to this time last year when we had 49, wasn’t brilliant but then perhaps not surprising in view of the conditions.
The highlights of the day included a Green-winged Teal, 9 Spotted Redshank, the skeins of Pink-footed Geese going over, excellent views of a male and female Sparrowhawk, a Green Sandpiper and as dusk fell, the Harrier roost with up to 15 Marsh Harriers in the air at once.  This was truly spectacular – one of the group described the scene as a flock of Marshies.  Sadly no Hen Harriers or Barn Owls although regarding the latter, we probably departed too early.
Thanks to Doug Aston for the photos.