Bath Birdwatcher

  LBB Gull - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) Like last week Bryan and Tony spent 6 hours at Chew for the same reasons as before. Unlike last week I started my list at Herriotts where there were no birds on the wall of the pool as grass cutting was taking place, but birds were out on the pool, Coot, Mallard, Canada Geese and Teal found along with Moorhen, Gadwall and lots of Black Headed Gulls that we checked to see if anything unusual were amongst them, but with no luck. Lapwing, Green Sandpiper and Snipe were the only waders we could find. Several Mute Swans were spread out over the pool and House Martins were flying overhead. On the pool other gulls included Herring and Lesser Black Back were spotted. Several Pied Wagtails were on the mud along with a Carrion Crow, Woodpigeons flew over the pool and some Shovelers were feeding at the back of the pool between the islands. On the main lake were many Great Crested Grebe but nothing else that we hadn’t seen on the pool. Time to move on to St...

  Little Egret - Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher) Despite the continuing hot weather, the 3 Musketeers were going to keep bird spotting even though at this time of the year the quantity of birds is low, so it had to be Chew Valley Lake as we are more likely to see a wider range of species there. We started our list from the start with Collared Dove, House Martin, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow all seen as we headed for our 1 st stop at Herriotts. On the pool was a large head of Gadwall and Teal with Moorhens showing in good numbers. Lapwing were on the mud and a female Mandarin was with the Teal. Coot, Mute Swan and Canada Geese were all noted and a Great White Egret flew across the pool. Green Sandpiper numbers were low with just 2 seen along with a Pied Wagtail. Black Headed Gull numbers were high with just a Lesser Black Back Gull with them. On the main lake we added Great Black Back Gull, Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Tufted Duck. Next stop Stratford where a ...

Gadwall - CVL (library Picture)  Another half day is all we could spare this week so Chew was chosen as the chance of seeing something different is greater here. Just two of us David and Tony. Setting off heading for our 1 st stop at Herriotts we spotted Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird and Jackdaw on the journey. At Herriotts Mute Swans stood out against the dark water, Lots of Black Headed Gulls were in the water by the island but checking through them no other species of gull was found. Coot, Gadwall and Teal were spotted and 11 Green Sandpipers were counted along with 3 Lapwings. Mallards in eclipse plumage plus a single Cattle Egret in full summer plumage were noted. Moorhen, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and Dunnock soon followed. On the main lake a Great Black Back Gull flew away in the distance and a flock of House Martins circled high above us. On the side of the lake, we noted Great White Egret and Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe were the only other water birds we could...

  Monday 13 th July The first of a few days at Ferrybridge with my wife Mary, David and Hazel in their caravan at Ferrybridge. When we arrived we were greeted by Cheryl, David and Hazel’s daughter who had been staying over the weekend and stayed to welcome us, a lovely thought and great to see her. Car unpacked and lunch eaten we took Cheryl to the station for her train home. The four of us then drove to Lodmoor for a walk and a spot of birding. We parked at the far side of the reserve and walked down the left-hand side Swallow being the first birds we saw lined up on overhead wires, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon and Black Headed Gull were all seen flying over the reserve. Reaching the bottom of the footpath at the open water a Moorhen was our 1 st sighting and a Blackbird flew past into cover, an Oystercatcher was standing on the bridge and a Little Egret was at the back of the pond and a Herring Gull was stood in the water and a flock of Starlings flew past. Mediterranean Gulls we...

  RSPB Bath members For the final Bath RSPB field trip of the season, we visited Blashford Lakes Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing turn out with only 6 members attending. It turned out to be a near perfect day with bright sunshine but a cooling breeze blowing and with tree cover for the morning part of the visit giving plenty of shade. As we all assembled in the car park our 1 st bird of the day was a fly past Red Kite followed by 2 Stock Doves that flew into the trees and started calling which enabled us to point out the different call against Wood Pigeons. Walking towards the Woodland hide a Robin was on the footpath and a Grey Heron was on a fallen tree on the far side of the right-hand pond. Nothing from the hide so we made our way to the next hide adding Woodpigeon as we went. From the hide were many Common Terns with fewer Black Headed Gulls. Mallards were the only visible ducks, a Cormorant was fishing and I then spotted a Hobby away to ou...

  Canada Geese - Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher) This week it was a half day at Chew Valley Lake the first time we have visited since the 23 rd of April. I decided not to start listing until we reached Chew but a Collared Dove at Bishop Sutton was worth recording. At Herriotts the list really began to grow with Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot and Gadwall all seen as we found a parking space. Once out of the car and telescope set up we found 8 Green Sandpipers and a Lapwing in the shallow water and in the deeper water Tufted Ducks and on the overflow at least 2 Egyptian Geese with the Canada Geese. House Martins swooped down over the pond drinking and a Pied Wagtail walking along the wall. On the main lake was a Great White Egret, Shelduck and Grey Heron with Woodpigeon Jackdaw and Black Headed Gulls flying over. Back on the pond were a pair of Teal. Moving on Stratford was the next stop with House Sparrows seen as we drove down the lane and from the car park a Cattle Egret flew over. Onc...