21st December 2021 - Newton St Loe

 

A return visit to Newton St Loe and most likely our last visit of the year. Parking by the farm shop we noted Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Rook while we were changing footwear. Walking towards the church we spotted House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Goldfinch in the garden with the feeders and as we walked on a Magpie and Lesser Black Back Gull was seen. As we approached the left turn to the church a flock of small birds was seen flying back and forwards across the road the flock contained Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Great Tit and Goldcrest. In the tallest tree sat a Mistle Thrush and a Blackbird flew by. Continuing on a Greenfinch was singing from a smaller tree. On through the churchyard and field down to the road with nothing to add. A Robin was our next sighting, and a Grey Heron was on the edge of the field next to Send a Cow, the 1^st time I have seen one here, also in the field were several Common Gull I guess we saw some 50+ in the fields. In the hedgerow were 4 Dunnocks and as we moved on a Green Woodpecker flew into a tree. A Chaffinch was our next sighting. Then all the small birds started alarm calling and with that a Sparrowhawk flew by. Down the footpath a Wren flew down the stream and as we approached the car park a Song Thrush flew past, and a Jay was spotted high in a tree. From Butterfly Alley another 5 Grey Herons were seen either in the field or by the stream along with 2 Moorhens. As we walked to the bottom lake a Kingfisher flew away by the edge of the lake, David found it minutes later in a bush just above the water level. On the lake were 13 Mallard and a single Black Headed Gull and in one of the trees towards the top end of the lake were 3 Cormorants. On the top lake were another 18 Mallards along with 16 Teal and another Grey Heron. It seems the dredging has been completed and the water level has started to rise. We stopped here for a hot drink and while there a Buzzard was noted. We walked up through the University grounds where we added Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker. There were also lots of small bird species we had already seen but of note were more Greenfinch, a species it’s been harder to see recently. On around the top end of the lake and up to the playing fields adding nothing to the days total. Time to get back to the car and walking back through the University 2 Pied Wagtails were on the buildings. Walking down the drive we added a Stock Dove and back in the village our last sighting was a Collared Dove. 41 species were seen a good total for this time of the year.

Top lake starting to fill up. lots of mallards and on the bank you can just make out 2 teal one between the 2 mallard and on far right.
(Bath Birdwatcher)

Back at home the male and female Blackcap are regular on my feeders with the male chasing the female away if he finds her anywhere near the feeders.