Bath Birdwatcher

  This week’s birding adventure took the 3 Amigos to Nagshead in the Forest of Dean in search of a bird that we are unlikely to see anywhere else that we bird spot. The forecast was for a very hot day so armed with plenty of drinks we set off, I waited until we arrived before I started my day list. On arrival we were greeted by several House Martins flying over and as we set off towards the lower hide a pair of Mallards were in the top pond. The water level was very low and we were told that it completely dried out last year. Continuing our walk we soon added Robin and Blackbird to our lists. David then spotted movement by a nest box and found a male Pied Flycatcher shortly after the female appeared and as we watch both visited the nest box, these birds were the reason we were   as they abandon the nesting area as soon as the chicks fledge and start the long trip back to Africa. After watching for a long time, we moved on towards the hide only to be stopped in our tracks by a ...

  Midford Castle - (Bath Birdwatcher) Bird spotting is a strange pastime not strange peculiar, but strange in a way that some days you hear and see all the species that call or sing but not today. It was just Bryan and Tony and we went to Monkton Combe to walk to Tucking Mill and back. We parked at the bottom of Combe Hay Lane and here the day started with Magpies in the fields and Jackdaws flying around, as we started the walk a Lesser Black Back Gull flew high over and a Green Woodpecker called in the distance with another calling later in the walk but neither showed. Plenty of Pheasants were in the fields with some only showing their heads in the long grass, As we walked along the lane towards Tucking Mill Woodpigeons flew out from the hedgerow in front of us, a singing Robin was our next find and Carrion Crows in a field of cows soon followed. At Tucking Mill a Nuthatch visited the feeders and walking up to the Pond an Orange Tip butterfly flew past. Nothing was found on the po...

  Bath RSPB,s monthly field trip was a visit to Martin Down National Nature Reserve 13 members arrived and we were led by Glen who knows the area well. While waiting in the car park for everyone to arrive Whitethroats and Skylarks were calling and in the end we all managed good sightings of both, We also heard the never to be forgotten call of the Cuckoo calling from a wooded area next to the car park but not showing, as we were there we set off in the hope of finding the Cuckoo, walking down a footpath to the open area of the reserve several members managed a glimpse of the bird but the majority missed it so we set off hoping to find it later. We soon added Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon then as luck would have it the Cuckoo flew past us heading in the direction we were going. Next our 1 st butterfly of the day was seen a Small Copper. As we continued a Red Kite was spotted in the distance, we later saw 2 more but this time much closer. Our 2 nd butterfly soon followed a Grizzled S...

  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...

  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 ...

  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...