Friday 16th September 2022 - Newton St Loe

 

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 was made. Waking over the dam a Great Tit flew out of the Yew trees and a Lesser Black Back Gull flew in and joined a Black Headed Gull that was already on the lake. Walking on around the lake I found the pair of resident Mute Swans on the bank in the top left of the lake, as I scanned around, I spotted the female Tufted Duck that spends a lot of time here. I than encountered a large Tit flock mainly long tailed perhaps 25+ along with some Great Tits and new for the day Blue Tits and 2 Willow Warblers playing chase, also another Chiffchaff. As I was looking up into the trees, I noticed 2 House Martins flying over. On the bank at the top of the lake was a Grey Heron and flying over the University buildings a Buzzard. As I walked back to my wife who was sitting on a bench a duck swan out from under the trees on the opposite bank and I had to make a double take as it was a female Mandarin the first, I have seen here in many years of visiting, today is the 23rd time this year alone.

Mandarin-NSL(Bath Birdwatcher)

Stock Dove flew past as we continued on around the lake and where the stream enters the lake a female Roe Deer was seen. Walking back down the drive Rook and Herring Gull ended the days sightings.

Roe Deer-NSL(Bath Birdwatcher)


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