Friday 6th March 2026 - Acres Down

 

Acres Down was the destination for this months Bath RSPB field trip but as we were hoping to find Lesser Spotted Woodpecker we had been advised to get there as early as possible so 8.45 was when we were to meet which meant a 6.35 start, a long time since I have been awake and out this early. On the journey to our meeting point we noted 3 birds we thought were unlikely to see there, Red Kite, Pheasant and Mute Swan. When we arrived, Tom was already there so while waiting for the whole group to arrive we spotted Blackbird, Chaffinch, Robin, Raven and Blue Tit. We all set off and the first birds we found were 3 Redpolls feeding in a tree with a couple of Blue Tits. As we continued movement was seen up in a tree which turned out to be a Marsh Tit, 2 good birds to start the day. We arrived at a point where the woodpecker had been seen in previous years but nothing was seen so we waited adding Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Stock Dove and Long Tailed Tit. Other birders were all searching for the woodpecker and we were told that it seems to appear in the same tree at about 10am and as the time approached a bird flew into the tree but we were disappointed to see a Great Tit. A few minutes later a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drummed and called from a close by tree but these woodpeckers are as small as a house sparrow so can be hard to see in the treetops where they like to be so although we could hear it we were unable to locate it. Back with the group another bird flew into the tree we had been watching and this time it was the target bird a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker a wow moment for me and the whole group.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Acres Down
(Bath Birdwatcher)

On checking my records, I could see that I have not seen one of these birds since 1982. Time to move on towards a lookout point where another target species could be seen. On the way I found a Firecrest that I was able to share with part of the group, but I understand the rest of the group who were some way in front of us had also seen one. From the lookout point overlooking bracken and treelined valley Woodpigeons were flying below and overhead 2 flocks of Stock Doves flew past. I think it was David who spotted a Goshawk flying in the distance (the target species) but Woodlark that we also hoped for was not seen. Another member of the group did spot a Stonechat and as we were looking at it a Crossbill flew over calling. By now lunch was calling, walking back to the cars we found Meadow Pipits and in a tree a flock of at least 10 Siskins. We drove to Bolderwood where we had lunch in the car park and a Pied Wagtail was on the open grass with a flock of Chaffinches. Last stop the heathland by the Canadian War Memorial here we were hoping to find a Great Grey Shrike that had been seen but the weather had turned and it was raining and any self-respecting Shrike would be well tucked up, we all decided that we had had a fantastic day with some excellent birds seen and decided to call it a day and head off home. On the way home we did add Canada Goose, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie. Last but not least a big thank you to our leader Glen and not forgetting the birds that showed for our delight.