Friday 23rd February 2024 - Bath RSPB field trip The Forest of Dean.

 

Last Friday was Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip to The Forest of Dean and we were to meet at Speech House at 10am. The 3 Amigos plus 1 (Kirsty) all travelled together but due to the local council rubbish collections it took over 30 minutes just to get out of Bath. Once out of Bath we made good time. At Lydney we take the Parkend road and on this road at a set of traffic lights we made our first sightings with Blue, Coal and Great Tits all feeding on the ground close to the roadside. At Parkend we had a few minutes to stop by the cricket field hoping for Hawfinch but today we were out of luck with none showing but we did see Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Nuthatch. We arrived at our destination with just a few minutes to spare but need not to have worried as it was another 20 minutes before we set off. While waiting for late arrivals we added Carrion Crow, Blackbird and Song Thrush this was the first of several we were to see during the day and great to know they are thriving here.  The walk started quietly with just Goldfinch and Mistle Thrush being added to our list. In the Crabtree area Bryan spotted a small flock of Siskins feeding in an Alder and a few 100 yards later a flock of Goosander flew over heading for Woodgreens Lake. Our first sighting of a Robin was next we had heard several but until now were not seen. 

Robin - Forest of Dean (Bath Birdwatcher
As we continued Lesser Black Back Gull, Dunnock Redwing and Woodpigeon were all found. Drybrook Station would be the turning back point and we were hoping to see Crossbills that were here in the reece but no, we did see a female Bullfinch. On the way back to the cars I heard this high pitched song and realised it was a call I had heard before but could not put a birds name to it until I found a singing Treecreeper. As we continued I heard the call of Crossbills and with that a large flock flew high over. That proved to be the last new sighting of the morning. We moved to Cannop Ponds for the rest of the trip having lunch by the top pond where Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot 2 more Goosander, Little Grebe, Moorhen and Mandarin were all seen. After Lunch we all decided to walk to the bottom of the second lake adding Grey Wagtail and Wren as we went. On the bottom lake we found Tufted Duck and a single Greylag Goose plus a lot more Mandarins. 

Mandarin - Cannop Pond (Bath Birdwatcher)
The feeders at the stone works were very busy with Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blue and Great Tits,  plus a Siskin all we had already seen during the day but a Marsh Tit flew into a bush by the lake but I missed it and it wasn’t until I walked to a place we had seen them on the reece that I caught up with it and also added a Goldcrest to the days list. Nothing else new was found until the return trip when a few Herring Gulls were seen in a field. Not the best day for bird numbers but we were able to point out species that some members has not seen or were able to get close views through Tom’s telescope and I think most people had a great day out. In total 22 people turned up.

 

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