Trip reports

MINIBUS TRIP TO HIGHNAM WOODS AND NAGSHEAD - SUNDAY APRIL 29TH 2007

Sunday, 29 April 2007

Two contrasting RSPB Woodland Reserves in one day! The trip attracted 25 Members. After a cool and cloudy start, the temperature soon reached 18C, perfect for our 2 hour saunter around Highnam, primarily in search of Nightingales. We were entertained by up to 5 singing males, but alas only a brief flight view across a broad ride was our reward for some patient watching. Nevertheless, there were many Blackcaps in song, 1 in particular showed very well, and a newly arrived Garden Warbler was scoped for everyone to enjoy. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Marsh Tit and Bullfinch were also all seen.

The group did a post lunch walk on the short trail at Nagshead, and at least 4 male Pied Flycatchers were seen, and in song, at or near nestboxes. A pair of Redstarts were in situ at the far end of the trail, but a singing Wood Warbler just up from the long/short trail junction failed to show. A surprise bonus was a Hawfinch on a nest. This was spotted by accident by a birdwatcher watching Blue Tits in the same tree!

Sparrowhawk (pair soaring overhead Nagshead), Buzzard, Raven (nesting at Highnam), Crow, Jackdaw, Jay (flight view at Highnam), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Long tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler (h), Nightingale (h), Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Hawfinch, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, GS Woodpecker (drumming at Highnam), Green Woodpecker (flight view and calling at Highnam), LBB Gull ( overhead at both Reserves), Goldcrest, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Tawny Owl (h), Mallard (3 over Nagshead). (39 species)

Report by Steve Oakes