Bath Birdwatcher

  Today was our Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip and this month it was a trip to Pewsey Down. We left at about 8.30am picking up Kirsty on the way and we started logging sightings starting with House Sparrow, Starling, Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon before we got out of the city. As we continued so did the sightings with Rook, Jackdaw, and Blackbird all added before reaching Devizes, here Mallard, Lesser Black Back Gull and Grey Heron were all in the pond, and from there to our meeting point Red Kite and Magpie were seen. Our leader for the day Glen was already there but I am glad to say we were not the last as we were very close to being late due to the holdups we had on the way. Once everyone had arrived 17 of us I think we had birds flying around us including Swifts, Swallows and a pair of Kestrels. We   set off and soon encountered another Red Kite we had quite a few sightings of there fantastic birds during our 4 ½ hour visit. Skylarks were very abundant and another species we...

  From Thursday 16 th until Wednesday 22 nd June my wife and I are spending a few days in Devon staying with Mary’s sister in her lodge nr Paignton. We are staying at a site called Waterside Park so close to the sea you feel you can almost touch it. From the start Herring Gulls were everywhere and a local Buzzard could be seen regularly. Goldfinch twittered constantly. Brother in law took me to a viewing point that overlooked 2 local coves and on the way we heard a calling Greenfinch and over the next few days proved to be quite common, a Robin was also seen. From the viewing point a Shag was sitting on a rock and a Grey Heron was exploring the rock pools. Back where we were staying we sat on the decking and noted 2 fly by Mallard and our attention was drawn to a few Swift and a Magpie. The following day Mary and I revisited where I had been the previous day. Carrion Crow and Jackdaw were soon seen quickly followed by a fly-past Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch and Great Tits were in the ...

  This week it was just Bryan and myself as David is away and our recent guest Kirsty was at work. Today was just a short morning session and Newton St Loe was the preferred destination. I picked up Bryan at 9am and we parked in our usual spot by the farm shop. Here we started our days list with Woodpigeon, Swallow, Blackbird, Jackdaw and House Martin. As we walked by the Farm Shop heading for the lanes we scanned the surrounding fields where we found a Mistle Thrush in the same field that we saw one on our last visit. Walking up the lane Goldfinch flew over and a Skylark was on the top of a hedge and as we approached it flew down into the field beyond. A bird was on the top of the telegraph pole by the entrance to 7 Acres but as it was silhouetted, we were unsure of its identity and as we crept forward a Yellowhammer flew up on top of the hedge it soon flew towards the telegraph pole and was joined by the bird on top another Yellowhammer. They flew down the lane behind us landing ...

  The 3 Amigos were back together this week and were joined by Kirsty for a circular walk from Monkton Combe to Midford and back via Tucking Mill. We parked at the bottom of Summer Lane just outside Monkton Combe where a Buzzard was drifting over the valley also flying around were House Martin and Swifts with a few Goldfinch in a dead tree. Walking through the Churchyard a Small Tortoiseshell was on the wing and a Sparrowhawk flew through. Feral Pigeon were on the village roofs. Turning into Mill Lane we headed towards Midford Brook, Blue Tit, Swallow, Lesser Black Back Gull, Magpie, House Sparrow and Carrion Crow were soon seen. We crossed the brook and turned into the fields to follow the footpath to Midford. Wood Pigeons were seen regularly and a male Blackcap and a Stock Dove were our next sightings. As we stood looking over the stream where Banded Demoiselles seemed to be everywhere a Goldcrest called from very close and appeared in the tree next to us, a great view was had by...

  The trip out this week was the first time since the 9 th of May that the 3 Amigos had been able to get out together and we all decided to head for the Somerset Levels to try and find a Cuckoo that illuded us on our last visit. We set off at 9am and headed for Radstock where we had a short stop hoping for a Dipper that do inhabit the area but did not show on this occasion but we did see Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Wood and Feral Pigeon plus Blackbirds. Continuing on we added Jackdaw, Rook, Great Spotted Woodpecker (which flew down the road in front of the car), Herring and Lesser Black Back Gull and a Red Kite a bird that is becoming increasingly seen in this area. Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Magpie completed our in transit sightings on the way to Wells. Turning off of the B3139 we followed one of the VERY minor roads across the levels where Great White Egret, Carrion Crow, Swallow, Mute Swan and Song Thrush were all added to the days list. Our first port of call was Westh...