Recent Birdwatching Group Meetings

Dawn Chorus at Cogden 11th May 2022

Eleven of us gathered at 4.45am on a coolish,windy, grey day. The birds were singing deep in cover, so we had to really listen to identify the songs. I think I have definitely got the reed bunting and warbler sorted! Breakfast at the Quarterdeck tasted so good after our early start. Thank you to Martin and Barbara for organising.

We saw or heard 25 species of which 8 were heard only.

3th April 2022 – Swell Woods Heronry

On a beautiful, sunny and very still day 13 members enjoyed watching the herons and egrets at their tree top nests and listening to an amazing springtime chorus of woodland birds while> walking through a colourful carpet of celandines, primroses, bluebells and wood anemones. Afterwards we had a very tasty and leisurely lunch at The Firehouse in Curry Rivel.

We saw 20 species and heard 2 very distinct but unidentified songs.

U3A Bird Watching Group Chard Reservoir 9th March 2022

On a cold, grey and very windy day 10 brave souls went in search of dancing grebes, and we very nearly succeeded!  A pair definitely faced up to each other and with crests extended moved their heads as if beginning a dance.

We saw 32 species – more than we expected on such a day.

Species seen

herring gull                                     cormorant

long-tailed tit                                  mute swan

mallard                                             magpie

crow                                                 great tit

wood pigeon                                 blackbird

great crested grebe                     wren

robin                                                nuthatch

blue tit                                             bullfinch

little egret                                      chaffinch

teal                                                  goldfinch

moorhen                                         goldcrest

chiffchaff                                       willow tit

canada geese                               pied wagtail

heron                                             coot

lesser black backed gull             black headed gull

dunnock                                        pheasant

Bird of the day – difficult to choose between the crested grebes, goldcrest and willow tit

Thanks to a toddler we also saw some very large carp.

9 February 2022 Bridport U3A Bird Watching Group

Trip to Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham 

Weather: Bright and dry, mild for time of year with little wind

The location:

A mixture of wooded paths and gardens beside the River Clyst, marshland and estuary 

Species seen:

Woodland  Path                           Marsh/ Estuary

Great tit                                    Herring Gull                              Little grebe

Blue tit                                     Little Egret                                Black-tailed Godwit

Jackdaw                                   Lesser Black-backed Gull        Whimbrel 

Robin                                       Black headed gull                     Lapwing

Magpie                                    Teal;                                          Green shank

Long-tailed Tit                        Wigeon                                      Red shank

Carrion Crow                          Cormorant                                 Curlew 

Great Spotted Woodpecker     Shoveler                                    Dunlin

Goldfinch                                Moorhen                                    Avocet

Greenfinch                              Pintail 

Chaffinch                                Shellduck

Starling                                   Canada Goose

Raven                                     Mute Swan

Wood Pigeon                          Greylag Goose

Wren,                                      Tufted Duck

Pied wagtail                            Mallard

Buzzard, 

Kestrel

43 species seen

Bird of the day – the beautiful and very elegant Pintail