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Thursday 23rd April 2026 - Chew Valley Lake.

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  Sister-in-law (Yvonne) suggested that 4 of us could have a day out together (that’s Bryan, Mary and Tony plus Yvonne) she suggested Chew Valley Lake where we could have fish and chips for lunch and afternoon tea at Woodford Lodge, and Thursday turned out to be the best day as it suited everyone. We took coffee with us to have during the morning. We decided to start the day at Herons Green as its very picturesque and a good place for coffee and a biscuit. Obviously Bryan and I took our binoculars to do a bit of bird spotting and from the car we spotted Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot and Canada Goose. Coffee drunk we crossed the road to look over the pond where another birder was stood at the right beyond the pond so we wandered up and had a chat and he had found a Sedge Warbler that was sat on a patch of brambles and he let us view it through his telescope (a year tick for us both). While standing their Reed Warblers were singing some flying from cover to another spot. Several Sand M...
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Saturday 18th April 2026 - Hengistbury Head

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  This month’s outdoor trip was a joint RSPB/Bath Nats to Hengistbury Head. 33 people came and once at the coach drop off point we had a comfort break before all assembling. At this point we were overlooking mainly a bushy and grass area here Starlings, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crows were all noted. Walking closer to the fence line a Swallow whizzed by and a Black Headed Gull also seen. Sand Martins in small groups flew through for most of the day, Mute Swans were seen in Christchurch Harbour on a sand bar with several Cormorants. We then heard the call of Sandwich Terns when 2 flew over and a Blackbird flew into a bush. As we stood looking 2 large waders flew in and landed in the long grass   which we took as being Curlews but on seeing a photograph that Andrew had taken we realised they were 2 Whimbrel. As we walked on a Great Black Back Gull was seen in flight, then another call was heard which we recognised as a Whitethroat which we found singing from the top of a bush and ...
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Tuesday 7th April 2026 - Chew Valley Lake.

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  This time of the year can be quiet with most of the winter visitors having departed and the arrival of summer visitors still not in full swing, and having consulted the local birding news, and nothing special reported anywhere, we chose another day at Chew Valley Lake, if something is likely to turn up then Chew is as good as anywhere. Binoculars scopes and the all-important food and drink we set off. On the way to Herriotts our spotting started almost immediately with Woodpigeon, Rook, Jackdaw, Buzzard and Collared Dove all seen. At Herriotts as we climbed out of the car a Common Sandpiper flew along the wall a great start as it was a year tick. On the pool were Mute Swans, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Black Headed Gull. along with both Great and Lesser Black Gulls. Shelduck were on the far side of the pool along with Canada Geese. 2 bird spotters we know were over the road searching the main lake so we joined them and we could all hear Reed Warblers singing from deep inside the ree...
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Tuesday 31st March 2026 - Chew Valley Lake

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  The last day of March so it was decided a return trip to Chew Valley Lake would be the ideal venue especially a couple of duck species have been spotted and they would be year ticks. Instead of starting at Herriotts we went to Picnic area 2 to walk the Bittern Trail hoping it would be quieter earlier in the day which proved the correct decision. After parking the car, we immediately spotted a Grey Heron and Cormorant flying over, as we set off a Wren sang from a bush and as we looked David spotted a Treecreeper on a Silver Birch Tree and a Chiffchaff was singing in a bush close by. As we continued we soon added Robin, Great and Blue Tit. Next sighting was a Cetti’s Warbler as it flew in the undergrowth but just a few yards away we found another singing in the open which is very unusual. Mute Swans were in the reeds and a Woodpigeon was sat in a tree and a Blackbird flew across the path. A Coal Tit was in a fir tree and 2 Mallards flew towards the lake. 2 Carrion Crows were in the...
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Tuesday 24th March 2026 - Snuff Mills, Duchess Pond, Eastville Park.

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  Dower House (Bath Birdwatcher) Another Tuesday and this week just David and Tony. We chose to do a morning in North Bristol starting at Snuff Mills where we park the car then a walk up the hill to Duchess Pond and finally a walk to Eastville Park. At Snuff Mills the 1 st bird of the day was a Moorhen on the river Frome then a Sparrowhawk high in the sky, walking up the river I spotted 2 Grey Wagtails wandering over a gravel bed. Carrion Crows were our next sighting followed by both Blue and Great Tits, a Mallard was stood on a log in the river.  Mallard - Snuff Mills (Bath Birdwatcher) Several Blackbirds were in an ivy-covered tree we then heard the call of a Kingfisher that flew into a tree on the far side of the river.  Kingfisher(m) - Snuff Mills (Bath Birdwatcher) Nothing more was seen so we walked back to the car park and on towards Duchess pond adding a Jackdaws sat on chimneys and   a Dunnock singing in a bush. As we entered Stoke Park 2 Magpies were in the...
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Saturday 21st March 2026 - Newton St Loe.

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  Top Lake - Newton St Loe (Bath Birdwatcher) The 1 st of August 2025 was the last time Mary and I went for a walk at Newton St Loe together so today we packed up 2 coffees with a bun to eat and set off we parked by the church and made our way through the churchyard into the field beyond and here I saw my 1 st birds of the day Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow in the grass with Rook and Jackdaw in the field by Send a Cow. Walking down the footpath through the wooded area 2 Blue Tits were   in a sapling and I could hear the call of a Greenfinch which I found in the top of a tree. Mary spotted a Robin singing in a bush and while looking a Wren flew away from us. In butterfly alley most of the footpath has been covered with chippings, much better than it was previously, and in the field to the left was a male Pheasant. On the bottom lake were 6 Mallard and 2 Moorhens.  Moorhen - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher) In the wooded area between the lakes were 2 Long Tailed Tits. On the top lake ...
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Tuesday 17th March 2026 - Uphill/Chew Valley Lake.

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  Somewhere a little different was chosen for this week’s birding trip, Uphill as it’s been many years since our last visit. The 3 Amigos were back together for this visit, as we have to pass Chew Valley Lake it would be rude not to stop for a quick scan, but before that we did see a Red Kite on the way. At Chew we saw Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Shelduck, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Gadwall, Lesser Black Back Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe. As we continued we pass 2 small ponds and on one we saw a Moorhen, a few roofs and chimneys hosted Jackdaw and Woodpigeons were a regular sighting. A male Pheasant was spotted in a field as we passed. Parking at Uphill House Sparrows were chirping in the bushes , we walked along the sand to the Axe estuary where Bryan found a Little Egret that disappeared up a channel before we could see it but it did reappear shortly after, a Common Gull was resting on the beach and 2 Oystercatchers were seen on the...
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