Tuesday 13th August 2022 - Chew Valley Lake.

 

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 around the lake, then I spotted a Grey Wagtail while on the exposed mud were several Pied Wagtail. A Great White Egret flew over. On the main lake a Common Sandpiper was in the channel and out on the lake were Coot and several Ruff I counted 6 but someone else said there were 7. Grey Heron, Canada Goose and Cormorant were also out on the lake. 

Canada Geese - Bath Birdwatcher

Next stop Herons Green, and it was here that the rare wader had been seen but when we got their other birders were also looking for it, and we were told it had been showing but had moved to the far side of the road that was flooded when the reservoir was built and while waiting for it to show we watched Yellow Legged Gull, Little Grebe, Swallow and Sand Martin. Carrion Crow, Chaffinch. Great Black Back Gull, Ringed Plover and House Sparrow were also logged before I spotted our target a Pectoral Sandpiper but before I could get the other 2 on it, it flew again out of sight, and it was another 10 minutes or more before it showed again but, on both occasions, it was only a head and shoulders view but enough to identify the bird. This is only the 3rd time I have seen this species, the first time about 7 years ago on the Isles of Scilly. By now what was light rain started to get much heavier, so it was off to Stratford Hide here Pintail, Wigeon, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Black Tailed Godwit and Tufted Duck were added to the days total. Time to get home and walking back to the car a Blue Tit was seen and on the return journey a Collared Dove.

Mixed Wildfowl - Bath Birdwatcher

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