1st December 2021 - Chew Valley Lake.

 

A day later than normal this week and with more time to spare we packed a lunch and set off for a day at Chew Valley Lake.

The first birds of the day were Jackdaws with many sat on rooftops, chimneys, or aerials, at Chew on Herriotts pond we spotted Mallard, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Mute Swan, Great White Egret, Pintail, and Shoveler. David caught a Kingfisher flying over the pond and flew under the road via the overflow bridge. Moorhen, Shelduck and Herring Gull were soon seen. 63 Lapwing and 25 Black Tailed Godwits were with the mixed gull flock which included Common and Lesser Black Back   Gulls. The final 2 birds seen on this side of the road were Carrion Crow and Cormorant. On the main lake a Great Black Back Gull and Grey Heron were both ticked as were a few flyover Starlings. Very few birds could be seen on the lake mainly due to the strong wind, so we decided to head for Stratford Hide here we expected it to be less windy. Driving down the lane a Blackbird was seen flying down the lane in front of us. Walking to the hide we stopped at the feeders where Great, Blue and Coal Tits were seen a Song Thrush was sat in a tree, the only one we were to see all day and a Chaffinch was in a tree above the feeders and a Nuthatch was also visiting the feeders. In the hide we added Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and Goldeneye to our list of water birds, and our first Wood Pigeon of the day flew past as did a Pied Wagtail. Next stop was Moreton picking up Rook and Magpie on the way, as we got out of the car a Buzzard flew away. Once in the hide a Reed Bunting flew by and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin and Long Tailed Tit were on the fallen tree to the right of the hide. Next it was Herons Green with a Wren that flew in front of the car added. Here we stopped for lunch and while there added Gadwall, Canada Goose and Little Grebe to the days list. Next stop Villace and walking to the hide a Goldcrest was found and in the hide 5 Bewick Swans were seen this was a species we knew had been seen on the lake but could have been anywhere but luckily, we came across them.

Bewick's Swan-CVL (Bath Birdwatcher

Nothing more here so on to the orchard by the entrance to the lodge her were many Fieldfare and Redwings. Last but one stop was the dam and here we found our second target species a Long-Tailed Duck and lastly in the picnic area an Egyptian Goose. This brought to an end a great day with 50 species seen including 2 year ticks.

Cormorant-CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Gadwall-CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)



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