Saturday 9th July 2022 - Wentwood- Newport Wetlands - Goldcliffe

 

This month’s local branch RSPB trip was a full day starling at Wentwood for the morning followed by Newport Wetlands and Goldcliffe. We set off at 8.30am foe a 10am rendezvous at Wentwood, when we arrived three member were already there and a forth arrived soon after and with the three of us we had just seven members. Normally we would expect double that so not sure what put others off from attending. As we stood chatting in the car park it was very quiet with a few birds singing in the distance and this proved to be the same during the walk with a Spotted Flycatcher proving to be the highlight of this part of the walk we did also see Chiffchaff, Blackbird, and Blackcap. We did hear a Wood Warbler but it was so deep in the trees we could not find it and also Crossbills that called from the top of trees but again kept out of sight. The second part of the walk was to a much more open area where we were hoping to find Tree Pipits but they also proved elusive, but we did add Whitethroat, Lesser Black Back Gull, Buzzard and a Scarlet Tiger Moth. Seven bird species was poor reward for two hours of searching. So off the Newport Wetlands and on the way we added Magpie and Woodpigeon to the list. We had our lunch in the wetlands car park and watched Swallow and Black Headed Gull. The RSPB who run the wetlands had 2 gazebos set up at the entrance and on one where you had to get your exit token for the barrier were lots of moths that had been caught overnight including a lot of Buff tips that look just like a broken twig.

Buff Tip - Bath Birdwatcher

Once inside the species total started to build nicely with Goldfinch, Mallard, Mute Swan with three cygnets just beyond the first viewing screen, Moorhen and Little Grebe were both seen from the same spot. On the other side of the pathway was another screen and here the species was almost identical as from the other screen but the call went up Bittern which flew overhead and dropped into the reedbed on our right only to fly again over to our right not to be seen again. As we walked towards the lighthouse House Martins circled above. The tide was rising in the estuary so birds we closer that low tide enabling us to identify Shelduck, Curlew, and a Great White Egret. As we continued in a circle back to the entrance Cormorant, Carrion Crow and Little Egret were all seen in flight. We stopped in the café for a drink and on the feeders were House Sparrow, Blue and Great Tits. Next was Goldcliffe and here as we parked the cars a Kestrel was seen in the distance. In the 1st hide we noted Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Sand Martin and Stock Dove, moving on to the second which was the most productive with many species of wader present including Oystercatcher, Bar Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing, Green and Common Sandpiper plus Ringed and Little Ringed Plover. Starling and Linnet were also seen. Time to set off home and on the way our final sighting for the day was Jackdaws. A slow start to the day but ended with a bang.

 

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