Thursday 21st July 2022 - Newton St Loe

 

It was far too hot to go birding on Tuesday with temperatures forecast to reach into the high 30’s and as it has now cooled to a rather more manageable low 20’s today was the day for a morning visit to NSL. Parking as usual by the farm shop we wanted to visit the lanes as 2 special butterflies, Purple and White Letter Hairstreak had been seen recently however we dipped on these. Anyway as we walked towards the lanes we spotted Swallows, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Jackdaw, House Martin and Woodpigeon. As we reached the lanes a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the fields and while looking at it Swifts were also seen. The 1st 2 butterflies were next to be seen, Gatekeeper and Ringlet.

Ringlet-Bath Birdwatcher

2 Carrion Crows flew towards the village then Bryan spotted a bird of prey towards the north as we looked we realised we were looking at a Hobby quite a rare sighting for the area. As we walked up the lanes a few birds kept flying in front of us but not in sight for long enough for an identification until one stopped on top of the hedgerow a Whitethroat we think it was a family party. A Blackbird flew across the lane, and as we turned towards 7 Acre Wood 2 Buzzards were drifting past along with at least 2 Black Headed Gulls. A Red Admiral was our next sighting but it was here we were hoping for the Hairstreaks but as they didn’t show we set off back towards the village and as we were walking back out of the wood a Green Woodpecker that we had heard calling for a while, flew to the large tree in the lane and a Lesser Black Back Gull flew by. Speckled Wood and Large White  Butterflies were our next sightings. A Skylark drifted down into the corn field and a few Goldfinch flew past. Stock Dove was next and Bryan was on great form spotting a Red Kite. A Dunnock was our last sighting in the lanes. Back in the village and on Buddleia were 3 different butterflies, Meadow Brown, Comma and Peacock.

Comma - Bath Birdwatcher

We stopped on the seat by the village store where we had a hot drink here we added Blue Tit and Robin to the days total. Nothing to add until Butterfly Alley where Green Veined White, Marbled White and Essex Skipper were seen. Little to add till we reached the top lake just 6 Mallard on the bottom lake, with many more on the top lake too spread out to get an exact count but c70 day total would be close to the mark. A male Kestrel flew over with something in its talons, on the lake were 6 Coot, 8 Moorhen a female Tufted Duck a pair of Mute Swans and a Little Grebe. A Wren was in a small bush on the dam and a Grey Wagtail flew towards the bottom lake. This proved to be our last new sighting of the day although back at the car 5 Buzzards were soaring above the village and another Red Kite drifted past.

 

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