17 members took part in this outing. We parked at Barden Bridge where we were met by a Grey Wagtail strutting down the road, a promising start. Things got even better as after a few minutes walking down the woodland path we had a very good view of a Woodcock as it wandered through the grass. A real highlight and a “Lifer” for most of us. It’s not a bird often seen as it spends most of the day hidden away.
Path side Chiffchaff nesting site in low vegetation by Chris Alder
There were lots of small birds in the trees, testing our sound recognition skills (not a problem for some). Some were resident like the Robin but some were recent arrivals like the Chiffchaff and Blackcap. We saw a pair of Chiffchaffs carrying nesting material in to a site within 2 metres of the path. Would they cope with visitor numbers, especially dogs?
When we reached the aqueduct, we were pleased to see the Dipper and a Common Sandpiper. On the water we had good sightings of a pair of Goosander. As we reached the woodland on the far side, we saw a very smart male Pied Flycatcher near one of the nest boxes. In the welcome sunshine we were also pleased to see Swallows and Sand Martins flying over the river. Spring at last! Our optimism was soon dampened, literally, as rain came in the afternoon and we had no new sightings. But a great day out with some surprises.
Badger paw prints in mud, Strid wood by Chris Alder
Ornithology Group outings aren’t exclusive to birds, but can branch out to cover other areas of interest. For example, on this visit we also saw badger paw prints rather messily left in a muddy route crossing the path. The botanists also pointed out a spreading clump of Allium paradoxum (few-flowered leek). This is a non-native invasive species which it is now an offence to plant or cause to grow in the wild.
Few-flowered Leek, Strid Wood by Chris Alder
Mandarin male Ducks in Strid Wood by Chris Alder
Another non-native is the exotic looking Mandarin Duck, two drakes of which joined us for lunch. Whether these become an introduction of conservation concern depends on how they interact in future with other native hole nesting duck – Goosander and Goldeneye, both uncommon, especially the latter.
35 Species seen.
Greylag Goose, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, Red Kite, Goosander, Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Woodcock, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dipper, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Goldfinch
Win Clements
Chris Alder
