Bath Birdwatcher

  Bryan and Tony were just 2 of the 3 Amigos as David was away opening up his caravan. As its now March we needed to buy our new Birding Permit for Chew Valley Lake so that was todays destination. We headed straight for the lodge and 1 st thing was go and pay for the new permit as we intended visiting the hides during the morning. Permits purchased we did a short walk towards the dam where a Collared Dove was cooing from the top of a tree. Collared Dove - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow flew over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in a tree which we did find, Jackdaw, Blue Tit and Blackbird were soon spotted. Canada Geese we spotted as we looked out over the lake and a Great Tit flew into a bush and 2 Magpies were in a field. Robins were in full song and a Redwing flew out of an ivy-covered tree. Several Chiffchaffs were found some in song as was a Wren booming out its song. Again, looking over the lake lots of Black Headed Gulls maybe in there 100’s we...

Grey Wagtail - Canop Pond (Bath Birdwatcher) Do we go to Pilning Wetlands for the Hooded Merganser or The Forest of Dean. The Merganser would not be a lifer as we saw the one at Radipole Lake in Weymouth some years ago so it was the forest. Driving up to the motorway a Red Kite was eyeing some roadkill and a Buzzard was seen from the motorway. The road from Lydney to Parkend was closed so we had to take a detour via Bream where we added Jackdaw. 1 st stop was Parkend where we were hoping for Hawfinch and talking to a fellow birder he had seen one high in a Beech Tree. We failed to find any during the time we were there but we did see Herring Gull, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail, Great Tit, and Coal Tit. Time to move on to New Fancy viewpoint, as we got out of the car 2 Carrion Crows flew over and Blue Tits were in the trees, walking up to the viewpoint a Robin was singing. From the viewpoint Ravens flew over calling and a Blackbird flew by but the bird we were hoping to ...

  Saltford Weir - (Bath Birdwatcher) Saltford was chosen for this Tuesdays 3 Amigos birding trip as we only had a half day to spare. Another reason for choosing Saltford was 3 species had been reported that would be year ticks for Bryan and 2 for David and Tony. We parked in the car park by the river Avon and started walking towards the Jolly Sailor with Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Mistle Thrush, Robin and Jackdaw soon found, we arrived at a spot where the 1 st species   we hoped to find a Little Owl is regularly seen but even after a wait it was not showing but we did see House Sparrow and Goldfinch. We moved on   and a Blackbird, Magpie and a singing Song Thrush were seen. Across the river Carrion Crows were in the fields along with a single Black Headed Gull, a Cormorant and a Grey Heron flew upriver the heron landing on the opposite bank, and as we looked at it 2 Moorhens swam across the river. As we continued a Dunnock was spotted and Herring Gull and Collared Dove flew o...

  Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher) Not only was last Saturday Valentine’s day but also Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip, this month to The Somerset Levels and just for a change a dry and sunny day was promised. 25 members made it to the meeting place at “Ham Wall” for a 10am start. A few of the group went to Avalon Marshes hoping to locate American Wigeon and Green Winged Teal that had been reported in the area but as it turned out they failed to find either. While waiting for the rest of the group we spotted Blackbird and Redwing in an ivy-covered tree. Magpie, Cormorant and Carrion Crow all flew over. We all set off heading for Viewing point 1 (VP1) and soon spotted a male Chaffinch, Great and Long Tailed Tit. As crossed over the bridge down to our right a male Pheasant was in a field and the first of many Robins was singing in a bush,  Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher) Coots were seen in the distance as was the 1 st Marsh Harrier of the day and a Great Crested Grebe was...

  This week the 3 Amigos had planned to spend a day at Chew and Blagdon but in the end Bryan was unable to come with us as his wife was feeling unwell so it was Just David and Tony. As it has been over the whole country the weather has been diabolical, day after day of rain and today was no different with light rain falling as we left. Driving to Chew the day started with a field full of gulls but it was so gloomy we could only identify a Herring   Gull and as we continued a Skylark flew across the road in front of us. Carrion Crow and Jackdaw also flew over and a Starling was seen on a telegraph pole. Approaching Chew a Blackbird flew by. At Herriotts on the pond were Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard and Coot. A Pied Wagtail was walking along the waters edge   and out on the pond were Shelduck, Teal, Moorhen and Tufted Duck. David spotted a Marsh Harrier flying across the main lake. Back on the pond a Grey Heron was on the far side of the lake with a Cormorant drying it...

             My 2025 Birding Year Highlights.   January. The year started for me on the 2 nd with a half day at Newton St Loe and amongst the usual sightings the highlight was 5 + Hawfinch a great start to the year, also Greenfinch, Nuthatch and a single Wigeon the first I have seen here. On the 7 th at the same venue a Little Egret was unusual. The 14 th took us to East Harptree woods and Chew Valley lake, at the woods were Siskin, Crossbill and Lesser Redpoll and at Chew a Red Breasted Merganser was a bird rare. On the 19th was the years 1 st Bath RSPB field trip, this one being to Blagdon and here a Ringed Neck Duck and female Scaup being the pick of the day’s sightings. The 21 st took us to Slimbridge lots of year ticks but the standout sightings were Whooper Swan and Water Rail. The last outing of the month was a return to Chew where Glossy Ibis and Goosander were year ticks Ring Necked Duck - Blagdon Whooper Swan...