Bath Birdwatcher

Today the 3 Amigos went on a recce to Brean Down as Bath RSPB local group are having a field Trip there on Saturday, making as sure as possible that roads are open and access to the site is not restricted. As it was an all-day trip lunch needed to be carried. We were to pass Chew Valley Lake on our journey so stopped for a quick look. On the way we noted Buzzard and Collared Dove. At Chew we ticked Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck Green Sandpiper and Coot, all these being on the pond while on the main lake Carrion Crow, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Moorhen, and Great Tit were seen. Driving from Chew to Brean Rook, Woodpigeon,   Jackdaw and Herring Gull added to the days total. Parking in the National Trust car park we started our walk making our way towards the river Axe estuary on the way Magpie, House Sparrow, Swallow, Starling, Mute Swan, Lesser Black Back Gull Goldfinch, Robin and Little Egret were seen. Scanning the Axe estuary ...

  Today Mary and I decided to have a walk at Newton St Loe, this is the first time Mary has been out since Monday as she had not been feeling too well. We parked by the church but followed the road to Send a Cow as the field would probably be wet with overnight dew. Goldfinch on the wires followed by flyover Jackdaw and Woodpigeons were our first sightings. In the fields by Send a Cow were a few Carrion Crows and although there was some bird calls down the footpath nothing was found. In butterfly alley a calling Chiffchaff was seen in one of the small trees. Up to the bottom lake here a flock of Long Tailed Tits were in the trees by the lake and 17 Mallards were spread over the lake. A Grey Wagtail flew towards the top lake where I saw 2 later in the morning. Walking up to the top lake at least 3 Mistle Thrushes were in the Yew trees eating the berries. On the lake 4 Little Grebe were showing well as well as at least 12 Moorhen seen around the lake edges. A good count of 7 Coot wa...

  This week the 3 Amigos made another trip to Chew Valley Lake as a rare North American wader has been present for a few days, more of that later. The 3 Amigos driven by Bryan left Bath heading for Chew and on the way picked up Buzzard, Jackdaw and Woodpigeon. At Chew our first port of call was Herriotts, the first birds seen as we pulled in, to park were Black Headed Gull and Mallard. Black Headed Gull - Bath Birdwatcher Scanning the pool with the telescope Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Green Sandpiper and Snipe were soon ticked off and a Kingfisher was heard, and it was seen flying low over the pool. Continuing scanning the pool Lapwing, Little Egret and Moorhen were picked out. David then spotted 13 Cattle Egrets that flew in and landed in the shallow water but didn’t stay long before they flew away, seen later flying over the main lake. Back to the scan when Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper were added to the days list. David then spotted the Osprey that had already spent a few days...

  Another trip to Chew Valley Lake in the hope of dodging the weather plus as the water level is still low there is plenty of exposed mud and therefore lots of wading birds.  The 3Amigos were all together today and on the way to Chew we logged Rook, Carrion Crow, Magpie, House Martin, Swallow, Woodpigeon, Starling, Jackdaw, and Collard Dove. At Chew 1 st stop was Herriott's , the first thing we noticed was the water in the pond was much higher than the previous week and subsequently fewer birds, but we did see Black Headed Gull, Moorhen, and Mallard, and wader wise Lapwing, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. A Great White Egret was sat on a branch and a Snipe was on a pile of sticks with more in the shallower water. Snipe-CVL(Bath Birdwatcher)  A few extra ducks were also seen Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall. On the main lake were more waders Black Tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Ruff and new for the year a Little Stint. A Great Black Back Gull was...

  My wife and I visited NLS this morning a day earlier than usual as the weather looks decidedly unpleasant for tomorrow so it had to be today to make the most of the better weather. Driving into the village House Martins were flying around and 2 Swallows were sat on the wires. We parked at the church and as we got out of the car we heard the contact call of Long Tailed Tits that were in the trees above us. Walking down through the field beyond the church a Woodpigeon flew over and a Lesser Black Back Gull was sat on the chimney of the cottage with that a Green Woodpecker flew up from the field and a Rook circled the field and headed off towards the village. A large flock of Goldfinch were in the trees and on the wires as we walked towards Send a Cow and at the top of the lane a Nuthatch was climbing high in a tree. All was quiet until we reached the bottom lake and here we ran into a mixed bird flock containing mainly Long Tailed Tits but also Willow Warbler, Coal Tit, Chiff Chaff...